Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, recently claimed responsibility for the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran on July 30. Haniyeh, a key figure in Hamas and a major diplomatic face of the group, was in Tehran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president. His death was initially blamed on Israel by Iran, but Israel had not confirmed it until now. Haniyeh played a significant role in strengthening Hamas' military capabilities, especially through ties with Iran. Earlier, Israel airstrikes killed three of his sons in April. Israeli forces have targeted top leaders from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi groups during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
24 December,2024 04:03 PM IST
On December 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his strong demand for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Trump called for the hostages' release by his inauguration on January 20. Over 250 people were taken during the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October, including Israeli-American nationals. Netanyahu also addressed the situation with Hezbollah, stating that while Israel would honor its ceasefire agreement, the war was not over. He accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire on December 2, prompting Israel to strike over 20 targets in Lebanon in retaliation. Watch video
04 December,2024 03:20 PM IST
In less than ten days following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah violated the deal on December 2 by launching two projectiles toward Israel’s Mount Dov. This attack came shortly after President Biden had announced the ceasefire. In retaliation, the Israeli Air Force targeted Hezbollah operatives, dozens of rocket launchers, and other terrorist infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the launch as a breach of the ceasefire, emphasizing their readiness to continue operations to protect Israeli civilians. Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously warned of a "forceful response" to any violations, and this incident could escalate tensions further. Netanyahu also declared that Israel would maintain complete military freedom of action in defending its citizens, especially against what he calls the “Triple H” threats. Over the past months, Israel has dealt significant blows to Hezbollah, including the killing of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and other top commanders. The ceasefire agreement stipulated that Israeli forces would withdraw from southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese army would deploy there. In turn, Hezbollah was expected to pull back its armed presence south of the Litani River.
03 December,2024 04:50 PM IST
Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the USA is preparing for a regime change with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, 2025. Trump issued a strong warning to Hamas on December 3, demanding the release of hostages before his inauguration, threatening severe consequences if they are not freed. The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel responded with a heavy counter-offensive in Gaza, resulting in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, with around 100 hostages still missing. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Trump three times, emphasizing shared concerns over the Iranian threat and the strong US-Israel relationship.
03 December,2024 12:47 PM IST
Hopes for peace in the Middle East were shaken after an Israeli raid in the West Bank on December 1, despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. The raid, near Jenin, killed at least four people, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying it targeted "terrorists" in the area. Disturbing footage showed damaged cars, shattered windows, and bloodstains at the scene. This attack came after a ceasefire deal brokered by the US and France between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27. With new strikes in the West Bank, Israel’s military operations are expanding, adding to the already tense situation in Gaza and Lebanon.
02 December,2024 01:05 PM IST
Holding a major protest against Israel, Yemenis held a massive rally against Israel’s aggression in Sanaa on November 29. Protesters wielded weapons in their hands as they raised slogan against Israel. Protesters refuse to “retreat until the aggression against Gaza, Lebanon and Syria stops”. Yemenis held rally after claims of Israel violating ceasefire on November 28 in southern Lebanon. Angered by the violation from Israeli side, Gaza and Hezbollah supporters demonstrated their protest. Ceasefire between the two parties was mediated by the US and France on November 27. Fragility of the agreement is evident since then, as both parties accused each other of the violation. Notably, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said Israel would maintain an ability to strike southern Lebanon under any agreement. “Will respond forcefully to any violations”, Israeli PM Netanyahu reiterated the same.
30 November,2024 05:46 PM IST
After an year of Israel-Hezbollah war, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will take effect at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday (November 27). Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday (November 26). The accord, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities, Biden said in remarks at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal and would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah, declaring Israel would retain "complete military freedom of action." The Lebanon ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon's army to deploy in the region, officials say. Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw, and that the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.
27 November,2024 12:00 PM IST
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war, International Criminal Court’s decision has sent shockwaves. In a major blow to Netanyahu, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him on November 21, 2024. Notably, Israel’s ex defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, were included in the warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The decision was met with an outrage in Israel, where Benjamin Netanyahu’s supporters expressed their disappointment on ICC warrant. Netanyahu's office said the ICC decision was "anti-semitic" and he will "not yield to pressure, will not be deterred" until Israel's war objectives are met. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the decision was not a political one but made by a court and thus should be respected and implemented. Notably, Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave's population, Gaza officials say.
22 November,2024 12:34 PM IST
The Middle East is caught in the middle of the ongoing Israel vs. Hezbollah conflict. On November 13, Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, many of which were intercepted by Israel’s powerful air defense systems. The Israeli military confirmed that 20 rockets were stopped, though one rocket hit a house in Ma’alot-Tarshiha. Fortunately, no one was hurt. In response, Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut for the second day in a row. This increase in violence comes amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, further raising tensions across the region. The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to exchange fire, adding to the instability in the Middle East
14 November,2024 02:45 PM IST
On November 11, 2024, Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into Israel, targeting Haifa, which set off sirens and caused significant fires in Kiryat Ata. Videos from Israel’s MDA ambulance service showed buildings and vehicles burning. An Israeli woman described narrowly escaping death, saying there was "only a second" between life and death. Despite the barrage, many rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Hezbollah’s ramped-up attacks follow the killing of its leaders by Israeli forces. Hezbollah has been launching daily rockets and drones since Hamas' October 7 assault on Israel, in retaliation for the deaths of its top commanders. With much of its leadership dismantled, Hezbollah is now led by Naim Qassem, who is likely to be the next target for the IDF. Watch video for more.
12 November,2024 05:25 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
