International

Many killed, 100 wounded as Israel airstrikes hit Beirut

Published

2 years ago

September 28, 2024

Many killed, 100 wounded as Israel airstrikes hit Beirut

BEIRUT/DUBAI/LONDON: A series of Israeli airstrikes rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday evening, erasing a residential block in the Haret Hreik neighborhood and reverberating across the Lebanese capital, rattling windows and sending a thick plume of dark smoke into the sky.

The Israeli army’s spokesperson Daniel Hagari claimed the “precise strikes” hit the central headquarters of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, believed to be located beneath residential buildings, the AP news agency reported.

The blasts caused nationwide panic and plunged the surrounding area into chaos. Paramedics from Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Authority rushed to the scene alongside relatives of the buildings’ residents.

Others in the southern suburbs rushed into their cars and fled towards Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that “some of the targeted buildings were inhabited.”

At least two people have been killed, and hospitals in the area received more than 50 wounded from nearby buildings, including three in critical condition. Rescue teams urgently appealed for blood donations.

The Lebanese state-run National News Agency said six tall buildings in Haret Hreik have been reduced to rubble in the biggest blast to hit the capital in the past year.

Targeting Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, who was suspected to be in a bunker underneath the buildings, the Israeli military used F-35 aircraft and dropped 2,000 tons of explosives on the area, according to Israeli media.

Mohanad Hage Ali, the deputy director for research at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, told Arab News that “Israel has moved from the precision killings phase into dynamite or blast fishing; the end justifies the means.”

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“They can kill hundreds to reach a target,” he continued. “This is why it is more likely a high-value target was there (in the targeted block) – this is why they (the Israeli military) took the decision.”

Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 initially reported an on-screen headline saying Nasrallah was “harmed,” but quickly followed with Israeli assessments indicating he is dead.

However, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that a security source confirmed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and the group’s executive council head, Hashim Safi Al-Din, were unharmed.

Iran’s embassy in Beirut described the Israeli strike as a “serious escalation that changes the rules of the game,” threatening that there will be repercussions.

“The Israeli regime once again commits a bloody massacre, targeting heavily populated residential neighborhoods while spewing false justifications to try and cover up its brutal crimes,” the embassy wrote on the social platform X.

“There is no doubt that this reprehensible crime and reckless behavior represent a serious escalation that changes the rules of the game, and that its perpetrator will be punished appropriately.”

Analysts believe the strike on Haret Hreik reflects Israel’s dismissal of traditional wartime norms, marking the start of a new phase in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

“Such a strike signals a disregard for the limitations typically observed in warfare, including proportionality and ethical considerations as it is a civil populated area as Tel Aviv a city with military basis,” Rafe Jabari, a researcher on the political sociology of Arab states, told Arab News.

“The scale of the destruction implies that the Israeli government is not constrained by these principles of International Law,” he added.

Jabari also believes “the strategy being employed suggests that Israel believes that war is the solution to end further conflict.”

He explained that “airstrikes are the strategic weapons used by Israel before the invasion of the Lebanese territories as happened in the Gaza Strip.

“The Israeli army is using destruction and terrors to eliminate any opposition to its occupation and colonization policy.”

“However, this approach is wrong,” Jabari continued. “Rather than achieving lasting peace, the continuation of such military actions is likely to provoke further instability and insecurity across the region.”

“Instead of bringing about an end to hostilities, this escalation will fuel the conditions for more wars and destruction in the future including this one.”

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Likewise, Beirut-based political analyst Nader Ezzedine said: “By targeting Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, regardless of the outcome, Israel has chosen to break all established conflict rules and red lines that had been observed in its previous wars with Hezbollah.”

He told Arab News that “whether the outcome of this strike results in Nasrallah’s death or his survival, it will have significant ramifications for the conflict.”

“Hezbollah initially tried to adhere to certain rules in the hopes that an agreement can be reached to end the war in Gaza and Lebanon,” he added. “However, after this strike, I no longer believe this war will have any rules or limits.”

However, Ezzeddine believes that while the strike may have dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah and undermined its fighters’ morale, “it will not end the war but will likely intensify the fighting even further.”

“This strike will not end the conflict if Israel aimed to do so by killing Nasrallah,” he said. “Instead, it will certainly cause a huge escalation.”

He also expects this strike to be followed by an Israeli ground invasion, while Hezbollah may escalate its attacks against Israel.

Middle East expert Jabari noted that “we are witnessing an open war worse than the one in 2006. The Israeli army and government are choosing weapons as a means of negotiation instead of political and diplomatic endeavors.”

On Wednesday, Sep. 25, Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi told troops that its airstrikes in Lebanon aimed to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure to pave the way for a possible ground incursion, CNN reported.

These comments came after the Israeli army intercepted a missile that Hezbollah said it had shot at the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, near the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

A day earlier, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, who reportedly led the group’s missile and rocket force.

Reports of Friday’s strikes came less than an hour after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the UN General Assembly, in which he vowed to continue his military operation in Lebanon despite a US ceasefire proposal demanding a 21-day pause in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel’s onslaught on Lebanon, which it says aims to eliminate Hezbollah, has killed within a few days 720 Lebanese people, many of them women and children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Since October 8, after Israel launched its onslaught on Palestine’s Gaza Strip, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging cross-border fire. But in the last week, Israel dramatically intensified its airstrikes in Lebanon, claiming the goal is to end Hezbollah’s 11 months of attacks on its territory.

Many killed, 100 wounded as Israel airstrikes hit Beirut

ARAB NEWS

International

Trump Slams Iran Over Strait of Hormuz as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stall

Published

45 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Slams Iran Over Strait of Hormuz as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stall

US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” in its handling of oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, insisting that Tehran’s actions “are not the agreement we have” amid rising uncertainty over regional ceasefire arrangements.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes, has become a renewed flashpoint as competing claims emerge over maritime control, tanker fees, and compliance with ceasefire-linked understandings involving Iran, Israel, and Western mediators.

Trump’s remarks, made in a recent interview and reinforced through his Truth Social posts, came as reports suggested Iran may be imposing new conditions on shipping traffic through the waterway. He warned that any unilateral changes or restrictions could threaten global energy stability.

His comments also reflect broader tensions surrounding a fragile and uneven ceasefire framework in the Middle East, where overlapping conflicts involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran-backed groups continue to complicate diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is preparing to begin direct talks with Lebanon, with discussions expected to focus on disarming Hezbollah and exploring long-term arrangements aimed at stabilising the border region.

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A U.S. State Department official confirmed that Washington will host a meeting next week to advance ceasefire discussions involving Israel and Lebanon, signalling renewed diplomatic efforts to contain escalating violence.

However, contradictions remain over the scope of any ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu has insisted that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” even as diplomatic channels continue to operate. Israeli airstrikes reportedly continued across southern Lebanon, targeting what the military described as Hezbollah rocket launch sites, though some operations appeared to slow overnight.

Trump, referencing a call with Netanyahu, told NBC News that Israel would “scale back” military operations in Lebanon to support ongoing peace efforts. “He’s going to low-key it,” Trump said, urging restraint to allow negotiations to progress.

The conflict has had severe humanitarian consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that evacuation orders in Beirut’s southern districts, including Jnah, have placed major hospitals at risk, with hundreds of patients—including intensive care cases—unable to be safely moved.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has said more than 1,100 people were wounded and at least 300 killed during recent waves of Israeli strikes, intensifying pressure on medical facilities already operating beyond capacity.

Confusion also persists over earlier ceasefire arrangements, with conflicting interpretations from Iran, Israel, the United States, and mediators regarding whether Lebanon was included in the agreement. This ambiguity has contributed to renewed strikes and diplomatic friction.

Iran, meanwhile, has accused Israel of violating ceasefire terms and previously signalled potential retaliatory measures, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, further heightening global concern over energy security.

Analysts warn that continued instability in both Lebanon and the Persian Gulf could have far-reaching implications for global oil prices, shipping routes, and broader regional security, especially if diplomatic talks fail to produce a unified enforcement mechanism.

Diplomatic meetings are expected to continue in Washington and through regional channels in the coming days as mediators attempt to clarify ceasefire terms and prevent further escalation across multiple fronts.

Trump Slams Iran Over Strait of Hormuz as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stall

International

Melania Trump Denies Epstein Links, Calls for Public Hearings for Survivors

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Melania Trump

Melania Trump Denies Epstein Links, Calls for Public Hearings for Survivors

Melania Trump has denied any connection to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, calling recent allegations linking her to him false and urging that such claims “end today.”

Speaking at the White House, Melania said she had only briefly “crossed paths” with Epstein in 2000 and insisted she had no involvement in his criminal activities or any knowledge of abuse allegations connected to him. She also rejected claims circulating online that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, describing the suggestion as a “misleading and mean-spirited attempt” to damage her reputation.

Melania Trump urged the United States Congress to hold formal hearings for Epstein survivors, saying victims should be given the opportunity to testify under oath. She called for survivors to publicly share their experiences if they wish, adding that their testimonies should be entered into the congressional record to ensure transparency and accountability. Her comments are expected to intensify ongoing political discussions in Washington over how Congress and federal agencies should handle remaining questions around Epstein’s network and past associations.

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She also dismissed claims linking her to Ghislaine Maxwell, saying she does not know her personally. She referred to a previously reported 2002 email exchange, describing it as “casual correspondence” and a routine polite response, rather than evidence of a relationship.

Epstein survivors and advocacy groups have responded cautiously to the statement. Some welcomed renewed attention on congressional hearings, while others warned that further public scrutiny could place additional emotional burden on victims who have already testified or are bound by legal restrictions.

Lawmakers from both parties have also reacted, with some supporting the idea of renewed hearings and others urging caution to avoid politicising survivors’ experiences.

The remarks come amid continued debate in the United States over the handling of investigations related to Epstein and the disclosure of related documents. While former President Donald Trump has acknowledged knowing Epstein socially in the past, he has previously stated that their relationship ended before Epstein’s legal troubles became public.

Authorities have not accused Melania Trump of any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein case. Her statement is expected to further fuel public and political debate over transparency, accountability, and the handling of high-profile abuse allegations in the United States.

Melania Trump Denies Epstein Links, Calls for Public Hearings for Survivors

International

Israel Questions Pakistan’s Credibility as Mediator in US‑Iran Ceasefire Talks

Published

16 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Donald Trump, Arif Alvi and Benjamin Netayahu

Israel Questions Pakistan’s Credibility as Mediator in US‑Iran Ceasefire Talks

Israel has publicly doubted Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the ongoing United States–Iran ceasefire negotiations, describing Islamabad as “not a credible player” in the diplomatic process. The comments from Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, come ahead of scheduled direct talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Islamabad on April 11, reportedly to be attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Azar acknowledged that the United States may have strategic reasons for using Pakistan’s facilitation, but he emphasized that Israel’s primary concern remains the removal of Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. He highlighted recent Israeli air operations that reportedly eliminated over 250 Hezbollah operatives and reiterated that disarming the group south of the Litani River is essential to protect Israeli communities.

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Drawing parallels with past U.S. diplomatic efforts, Azar compared Pakistan’s mediation to previous roles played by Qatar and Turkey in negotiating truces in Gaza, suggesting such mediators were sometimes selected for convenience rather than effectiveness. He stressed that Israel’s objective is to remain closely aligned with the United States on the substance and outcome of any regional agreement.

Regarding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire, Azar expressed support for the two-week truce while noting that Israel considers Lebanon outside its scope. He warned that continued Iranian and Israeli military actions in Lebanon could jeopardize the fragile agreement, potentially destabilizing the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East security.

The ceasefire talks themselves remain delicate. While Pakistan has positioned itself as a facilitator, Tehran has acknowledged Islamabad’s role but continues to insist on substantive agreements over nuclear development, missile programs, and regional security obligations. Meanwhile, Israel maintains a firm stance that its operations in southern Lebanon are necessary to neutralize threats from Hezbollah.

The diplomatic dispute over Pakistan’s credibility highlights deep divisions among key stakeholders in the region, underscoring the challenges in maintaining a fragile truce while addressing the security concerns of multiple actors. Observers will closely monitor whether the upcoming Islamabad talks can reconcile these differences and produce a sustainable agreement.