International

Israel launches devastating raids on Lebanon’s south

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2024

Druze women mourn by a coffin during a funeral of a person killed in a rocket strike from Lebanon a day earlier in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights. (AFP)

Israel launches devastating raids on Lebanon’s south

BEIRUT: Lebanon on Sunday called for an international investigation into a strike that killed 12 people, including children, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, warning against a large-scale retaliation.

Hezbollah rejected Israel’s accusation of bombing Majdal Shams on Saturday, saying in a statement that “the Islamic Resistance has nothing to do with the incident at all, and we categorically deny all the false claims in this regard.”

After Hezbollah’s statement, Walid Jumblatt, former head of the Progressive Socialist Party — the most powerful Druze leader in Lebanon — warned against “what the Israeli enemy is doing to ignite strife, fragment the region, and target its various communities.”

His warning came as Israel on Sunday morning carried out intense raids on the villages of Al-Abbassieh and Burj Al-Shamali near Tyre, southern Lebanon, causing widespread destruction.

It also raided the border villages of Tayr Harfa and Khiam, and targeted a residential building in Taraya, central Bekaa, with two missiles, destroying the building but causing no casualties.

The attack in Majdal Shams came hours after a raid by Israel on the southern border village of Kfarkila, in which four Hezbollah members were killed.

In a statement, the Lebanese government condemned “all acts of violence and attacks against all civilians,” adding that “targeting civilians is a flagrant violation of international law and contradicts the principles of humanity.”

It called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts.”

Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib said in a statement on Sunday that “since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has been targeting military sites and not civilians, and I don’t think that it carried out this attack in Majdal Shams.”

He added: “It might be planned by other organizations … an Israeli mistake or even an error on Hezbollah’s part, I don’t know. We need international investigation to uncover the truth.”

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In a joint statement, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL head of mission and force commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro condemned “the death of civilians, including young children and teenagers, in Majdal Shams,” stressing that “civilians must be protected at all times.”

They urged “the parties to exercise maximum restraint and to put a stop to the ongoing intensified exchanges of fire, as they could ignite a wider conflagration that would engulf the entire region in a catastrophe beyond belief.”

The UN special coordinator held a phone call with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is considered the most important channel of communication with Hezbollah.

According to his press office, Berri affirmed that “Lebanon and its resistance are committed to UN Resolution 1701 and the rules of engagement by refraining from targeting civilians.”

Berri added that “the resistance’s denial of involvement in the Majdal Shams incident strongly reaffirms this commitment and underscores that neither Lebanon nor the resistance is responsible for what happened.”

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said his organization was in contact with the parties to diffuse the tension.

Jumblatt received a phone call from the US mediator to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who expressed concern over the escalating situation on the southern Lebanese front after the Majdal Shams incident.

Jumblatt tried to diffuse the situation, since most of the Majdal Shams’ residents are Druze.

He said that “targeting civilians is rejected and condemned, be it in occupied Palestine, the occupied Golan, or in southern Lebanon,” adding that “the history of the Israeli enemy is filled with massacres against civilians.”

Activists and supporters on TV channels and social media platforms denied Hezbollah’s involvement in the Majdal Shams attack, noting that “there are no settlers in Majdal Shams for the party to target, and it knows that.”

Hezbollah’s denial was to no avail, as the Israeli army insisted on holding the party responsible for launching the rocket.

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Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said: “Ali Mohammed Yahya, the commander of the launch complex in the Shebaa area, ordered the firing of rockets toward the village of Majdal Shams.”

The Israeli raids on Lebanon on Sunday caused enormous destruction but did not result in any human casualties. The raids targeted two large hangars in Al-Abbassieh and Burj Al-Shemali.

The regular raids on the area since the start of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army have caused panic among residents, damaging dozens of houses and apartments.

A Lebanese security source said: “Seven Israeli warplanes carried out the raids simultaneously.”

Adraee claimed that the raids hit Hezbollah targets in seven different areas across Lebanon, deep into Lebanon and its south, including weapons depots and infrastructure.

Hezbollah responded to the attacks by targeting “the positioning of Israeli soldiers in the Manara settlement,” according to a statement from the party.

Israeli officials on Sunday continued to vow to make Hezbollah pay.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “This is a very difficult and painful event for these children. It is a terrible tragedy. Hezbollah is responsible for this and it will pay.”

Gallant was speaking during a visit to Majdal Shams, where funeral processions were held for its victims.

Israeli Chief of Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi visited Majdal Shams on Saturday evening, according to Adraee.

Gen. Halevi inspected the football field that was hit, confirming the readiness for the next phase of combat in the north.

“We know exactly where the rocket was fired from,” he said. “We examined the remnants of the rocket on the walls of the football field here.

“We can say it was a Falaq rocket with a warhead weighing 53 kg. This is a Hezbollah rocket. Whoever fires such a rocket toward a populated area intends to kill civilians, intends to kill children.”

Reuters reported, citing two security sources, that Hezbollah “is on high alert and has evacuated some key sites in eastern and southern Lebanon.”

France and Norway called on their citizens “to avoid traveling to Lebanon and Israel” and asked those in the country to leave Lebanon.

Israel launches devastating raids on Lebanon’s south

ARAB NEWS

International

US Adds 19 More Nigerians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List

Published

51 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

79 Nigerians on US Criminal Records Face Possible Deportation

US Adds 19 More Nigerians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List

The United States government has added 19 more Nigerian nationals to its “worst of the worst” criminal aliens list, bringing the total number of Nigerians scheduled for deportation to 113. The move targets convicted criminals who have served time in U.S. courts and are deemed a threat to public safety.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the newly listed Nigerians were convicted of serious crimes, including sexual assault on a minor, fraud, assault, drug trafficking, and money laundering. These individuals were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and will be deported after completing immigration procedures.

A DHS statement highlighted the purpose of the programme:
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, ICE is carrying out deportations — starting with the worst of the worst.”

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Among those newly added to the list are Adeolu Solabu, Oladayo Agboola, Chinonso Ochie, Oluchi Jennifer Chimdimma Chime, Samuel Omorodion, Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, as well as Marcus Unigwe, Kehinde James, Blessing Uchanma, Victor Adebisi, Richard Ugbah, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Oluwamuyiwa Olawoye, Okechukwu Amadi, Femi Jolayemi, Anthony Asanya, Izuchukwu Okoye, and Ebele Agbasiele.

This latest addition follows a previous announcement in which 79 Nigerian nationals had already been slated for deportation for offences ranging from fraud, manslaughter, assault, robbery, to drug-related crimes. The combined total of 113 Nigerians reflects the U.S. government’s intensified focus on criminal aliens.

The move has sparked renewed discussion about U.S. immigration enforcement, diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, and the rights and welfare of deportees. Advocates have raised concerns about ensuring due process and humane treatment for those returned to Nigeria, while authorities stress that deportation is a legal measure targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.

Globally, Nigerians have faced similar deportation measures, including large-scale removals from countries like India, where thousands were repatriated for visa violations or alleged criminal activities. The ongoing deportations underscore the challenges facing Nigerian citizens abroad amid tightened international immigration and law enforcement policies.

US Adds 19 More Nigerians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List

International

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

Published

2 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, the United States Secret Service confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. ET (06:30 GMT) while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C.

Authorities said the suspect, later identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron, North Carolina, was carrying a shotgun and a fuel canister when confronted by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy. Officers ordered him to drop the items, but he raised the shotgun toward them, prompting them to fire and neutralise the threat. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Martin’s family had reported him missing hours before the shooting. Moore County authorities said the missing-person report was turned over to federal investigators. Officials are examining whether he acquired the firearm during his drive from North Carolina to Florida. A box for the shotgun was later recovered from his vehicle.

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Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter: the suspect dropped the fuel can but lifted the shotgun into a threatening position. “At that point, agents fired their weapons to neutralise the threat,” Bradshaw said. Officers involved were equipped with body cameras, which captured the incident. The FBI is leading the investigation with support from the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Officials are analyzing bodycam footage, gathering evidence, and creating a psychological profile of the suspect. Authorities have yet to determine a motive.

Mar‑a‑Lago is heavily guarded, with an outer cordon maintained by local Palm Beach deputies and an inner perimeter secured by the Secret Service. Visitors are screened, and vehicles and bags are checked with metal detectors and sniffer dogs. The shooting adds to a history of threats against Trump. In July 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one bystander was killed and two others injured. Another would-be assassin, Ryan Routh, attempted an attack at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and was recently sentenced to life in prison. Following the Mar‑a‑Lago shooting, Secret Service Director Sean Curran traveled to Florida to oversee “after-actions” and reinforce operational communication and response protocols.

Political violence has become a prominent topic in the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized what he described as “normalizing violence” in politics, referencing previous assassination attempts and recent high-profile attacks, including the public shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and the fatal shootings of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota. The FBI and Secret Service are continuing the investigation to determine the suspect’s motive and possible affiliations, with authorities pledging to release updates as more information becomes available.

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

International

Women, Children Killed as Pakistan Launches Overnight Strikes on Afghanistan

Published

2 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Islamabad said the strikes were launched on Afghanistan following recent suicide bombings in Pakistan (BBC)

Women, Children Killed as Pakistan Launches Overnight Strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan has carried out deadly overnight airstrikes on Afghanistan, killing at least 18 people, including women and children, according to the Afghan Taliban, in a major escalation of Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions along their volatile border.

Islamabad confirmed that the operation involved precision airstrikes against seven alleged militant camps and hideouts close to the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, saying the attacks were launched in retaliation for recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. Pakistani officials said the strikes were intelligence-based and aimed at eliminating armed groups accused of orchestrating cross-border attacks.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Pakistan of bombing civilian homes and a religious school. Afghan authorities described the attacks as a violation of national sovereignty and warned that continued military action could worsen regional instability.

According to Afghanistan’s defence ministry, the airstrikes hit civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. In Girdi Kas village in the Bihsud district of Nangarhar, residents said entire families were affected when homes were destroyed. Local Taliban officials said 18 members of one family were killed, while only a few survived. Earlier casualty estimates had placed the death toll at around 20 people, though figures were later revised.

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In Paktika province, strikes reportedly hit a guesthouse and a religious school in the Bermal and Urgun districts. Local officials said those facilities were empty at the time, and no deaths were reported there.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the military action involved “selective targeting” of fighters linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad refers to as Fitna al Khawarij, as well as elements of the Islamic State-Khorasan Province. The ministry described the operation as a retributive response to terror attacks it said were planned from Afghan soil.

The latest escalation follows a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad earlier this month and additional assaults in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the start of Ramadan. Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of failing to rein in militants, claiming it had conclusive evidence that some of the attacks were directed from across the border. Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing Afghan territory to be used against neighbouring countries.

In a strongly worded response, the Taliban’s defence ministry described the airstrikes as a “blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity” and a “clear breach of international law.” It warned that an “appropriate and measured response” would be taken at a suitable time, accusing Pakistan of flawed intelligence for hitting civilian targets and religious institutions.

The strikes come despite a fragile ceasefire reached in October after deadly cross-border clashes, the worst since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Although that truce reduced large-scale fighting, sporadic clashes and air operations have continued to strain relations.

Tensions had briefly eased earlier this week after Saudi Arabia mediated the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured during last year’s border clashes. However, analysts warn that the latest airstrikes could undermine diplomatic efforts, worsen humanitarian conditions in border communities, and heighten the risk of further retaliation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,600-mile mountainous border, long plagued by militancy, smuggling, and recurring military confrontations, making it one of the region’s most unstable frontiers.