International

Lebanon calls for UN decision on ceasefire as Israeli strikes expand

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2024

Lebanon calls for UN decision on ceasefire as Israeli strikes expand

BEIRUT: Lebanese Premier Najib Mikati said on Friday that the Israeli attacks on Lebanon are “completely unacceptable.”

After a Cabinet meeting, he said that the Foreign Ministry “will submit a request to the UN Security Council to take a decision for an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of Resolution 1701, which Lebanon adheres to and has reaffirmed in international forums.

“A diplomatic solution is on the table, and Hezbollah, as a partner in the government, agrees to implement Resolution 1701. Most importantly, an immediate ceasefire is necessary.”

The official Lebanese stance came after Israeli strikes expanded to include the capital, Beirut, and the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL in the south.

Lebanon’s military said two of its soldiers were killed and three others were wounded after an Israeli airstrike targeted a military post in Yatter, southern Lebanon.

By noon on Friday, the death toll rose to 2,198 since the beginning of confrontations, including women and children. The number of the injured reached 10,329.

Mikati said Lebanon has become “a victim of Israeli arrogance, which continues unchecked and violates our sovereignty before the eyes of the world, emboldened by the disturbing silence regarding its massacres.

“The Israeli attack on UNIFIL is a condemnable crime and a matter for the international community, whose sanctity is being violated.”

The observation tower in UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters was hit by a heavy airstrike on Friday, marking the second attack on the international forces within 24 hours. The new attack resulted in the injury of two Sri Lankan soldiers, one of them critically.

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A UNIFIL source told Arab News: “The Israeli attacks covered military sites of UNIFIL units during their incursion attempts into Lebanese territory. They entered a Nepalese force’s site in the border town of Blida and smashed cameras and lighting equipment. They also broke into the site of the Irish (force) … in the town of Maroun Al-Ras and destroyed its assets and broke into the site of the Ghanaian force in the town of Yaroun and committed the same aggression.

“In the 2006 war, UNIFIL were not subjected to this type of aggression, as they retreated to their barracks and remained there. The number of those forces at that time did not exceed 3,500 peacekeepers, but today, the situation is different, as the UNIFIL include 10,500 soldiers, and their deployment is wider as they have more sites in the border area.”

UNIFIL recently received threats to retreat from their positions to a depth of 5 km. However, the source said that this retreat would still be subject to new threats and that the UNIFIL commander cannot make such a decision, which is entrusted to the UN Security Council.

According to the source, “at the moment, UNIFIL has stopped all their patrols in the south and remained in barracks and did not use their right to self-defense mentioned in Resolution 1701. Their centers in the areas of deployment are facing shortages of food supplies, with reserves expected to last between one and two weeks, depending on the location.”

In this context, Reuters quoted two sources familiar with Hezbollah operations as saying that “Hezbollah is preparing for a long war of attrition in south Lebanon. It still has a considerable stockpile of weapons, including its most powerful precision missiles, which it has yet to use. Hezbollah’s command was disrupted for the first few days after Nasrallah’s Sept. 27 assassination until it established a new ‘operations room’ 72 hours later.”

Hezbollah later denied the report, calling it “pure fiction.”

Israeli army spokesperson, Capt. Ella Waweya, published a video of Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi wandering around Lebanon’s southern border region.

In the video, Halevi said: “We will not stop until we ensure that we can safely return the residents. If anyone considers rebuilding new terrorist infrastructure, the Israeli army will destroy it again.”

A video was shared of Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari in the southern village of Blida, displaying military belongings and ammunition allegedly “inside the homes of the southerners, for the purpose of breaking into the border.”

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Rescue teams continued to remove rubble in Noueiri and Basta in Beirut, as the Israeli raids on Thursday destroyed two residential buildings, killing 22 civilians and injuring 117.

Reports said the head of Hezbollah’s security apparatus Wafiq Safa, who was targeted by the raids on Beirut, was in a hospital in the capital.

There is conflicting information on whether Safa sustained a critical injury or was killed following the attack.

Following the difficult night that Beirut witnessed, reconnaissance planes hovered over Lebanon around the clock.

Israel raided about 30 villages in the south, destroying a building in Jebchit and killing four people.

Three people were also killed as a result of an Israeli raid on Arzoun, Tyre.

Moreover, an Israeli drone raided the Civil Defense center in Tayr Debba.

Israeli raids mainly targeted Bekaa, specifically Bodai in west Baalbek, Al-Keiyal in Baalbek, Khodor, Douris, the Nabi Chit valley, the Saraaine Al-Tahta valley, and the border village of Hawsh Al-Sayyid Ali between Hermel and Syria.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, carried out a series of military operations against the Israeli army.

According to its statements, the militant group targeted “a gathering of soldiers in the Yiftah settlement and its surroundings, technical equipment in the Al-Abbad site with a guided missile, and a gathering of soldiers in the Kfar Szold settlement.”

It also targeted “a gathering of soldiers in the Yaara settlement” and carried out “an aerial attack with a fleet of attack drones against the air force command base in Kiryat Eliezer in Haifa.”

Israeli media outlets reported that “a building in the industrial zone of Kiryat Bialik in the Haifa district was directly hit by missiles launched from Lebanon,” adding that “an anti-armor missile injured two people in Yir’on in the upper Galilee.”

They estimated that “about 30 missiles have been launched from southern Lebanon toward the Galilee since the morning.”

The Israeli army stated in the afternoon that “Hezbollah launched 65 rockets from Lebanon toward Israel,” adding that “sirens sounded in Shomera in the Galilee.”

Lebanon calls for UN decision on ceasefire as Israeli strikes expand

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Iran Launches ‘Massive’ Drone Strikes on Israel, US Bases

Published

47 minutes ago

March 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Launches ‘Massive’ Drone Strikes on Israel, US Bases

Iran’s army and Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday that their forces had launched a “massive wave of drone attacks” targeting Israel and US military bases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, as the regional conflict escalates into its second week. According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the Iranian Navy carried out the strikes against what Tehran described as “American bases and occupied territories.” The operation reportedly targeted strategic locations including Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, a US base in Kuwait, and a strategic facility in Israel. (tbsnews.net)

Later, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed additional strikes on Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. The Guard alleged that the attacks damaged air warfare centres, satellite communication systems, early warning radars, and fire-control radars used by US forces, according to Tasnim News Agency. (today.lorientlejour.com)

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The current surge in attacks comes after US and Israeli airstrikes inside Iran on February 28, which Tehran claims killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a broader conflict. Since then, Iran has retaliated with multiple drone and missile attacks against Israel and US interests in the region. (reuters.com)

The hostilities have spread across the Gulf, with missiles and drones intercepted over the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, forcing governments to issue civil defence alerts and suspend some flights. (gulfnews.com)

Meanwhile, Israel has conducted pre-emptive air raids inside Iran, reportedly deploying dozens of fighter jets to target Iranian military infrastructure, escalating the tit-for-tat confrontations. (turkiyetoday.com)

Analysts warn that the escalation could destabilise the Middle East further, disrupt oil supplies, and trigger international military responses. The attacks highlight the increasing risks for US forces and allied personnel stationed across the Gulf, as well as potential threats to civilian infrastructure in the region.

Iran Launches ‘Massive’ Drone Strikes on Israel, US Bases

International

Iran War: US Authorizes $151.8 Million Bombs Sale to Israel

Published

7 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Trends Admin

U.S President Donald Trump

Iran War: US Authorizes $151.8 Million Bombs Sale to Israel

The United States State Department has approved a $151.8 million emergency arms sale to Israel, authorising the transfer of thousands of bombs and critical support services as the Middle East war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran intensifies. The deal, announced on Friday, reflects Washington’s urgent support for Israel’s defence capabilities amid the ongoing regional crisis.

Under the agreement, Israel will receive 12,000 BLU‑110A/B general-purpose bombs, each weighing approximately 1,000 pounds (470 kilograms), along with US government and contractor technical, logistics, and engineering support. The arms package is designed to boost Israel’s ability to counter current and future threats, strengthen homeland defence, and serve as a deterrent against regional adversaries, the State Department said.

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The emergency designation was invoked under the Arms Export Control Act, allowing the sale to bypass the usual congressional review process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate transfer of these defence articles in the national security interests of the United States.” Critics have warned that bypassing Congress for a weapons sale of this scale raises concerns about oversight and accountability, given the conflict’s humanitarian and geopolitical implications.

The arms sale comes as hostilities in the Middle East continue to escalate following recent US‑Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iranian‑backed forces, including missile and drone strikes on Israel and US facilities across the Gulf region. Observers say the weapons transfer signals unwavering US support for Israel amid growing regional instability.

The emergency sale also underscores the strategic US‑Israel defence partnership, which has long been central to Washington’s Middle East policy. The contract will be executed with existing stockpiles and contracted suppliers, ensuring Israel can rapidly deploy the munitions in the ongoing conflict. Human rights groups and some lawmakers have criticised the sale, warning that further militarisation could exacerbate civilian casualties and prolong the conflict.

Iran War: US Authorizes $151.8 Million Bombs Sale to Israel

International

Ghanaian UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missile Attack in Lebanon as Iran‑Linked War Escalates

Published

7 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Ghanaian UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missile Attack in Lebanon as Iran‑Linked War Escalates

The headquarters of Ghana’s United Nations peacekeeping battalion in southern Lebanon came under a missile attack on Friday, critically wounding two Ghanaian soldiers and underscoring the growing dangers facing peacekeepers in the escalating Middle East conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran‑aligned forces.

In an official statement, the Ghana Armed Forces said the attack occurred at the battalion’s base in southern Lebanon, where Ghanaian troops are deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The missile strike also left a third peacekeeper psychologically traumatised, and destroyed the Officers’ Mess facility, which was completely burned down in the blast.

The Ghana military did not identify the group responsible for launching the missiles. However, it noted that Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal protest with the United Nations Headquarters in New York, urging all parties to respect international obligations to protect UN peacekeepers and civilians in conflict zones.

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The attack comes amid a dramatic escalation in violence after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel, drawing Lebanon directly into the wider war between Israel/United States and Iran. Following the rocket attacks, Israel intensified operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, leading to heavy exchanges of fire and multiple missile strikes across border communities.

UNIFIL, established in 1978 to monitor ceasefires along the Lebanon–Israel border and stabilise the area, includes troops from several countries, with the Ghanaian battalion among the key contingents. The mission has increasingly come under strain as hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah exact heavier tolls on local communities and UN positions alike.

According to military officials, the two wounded Ghanaian soldiers were stabilised and receiving medical care inside the UN peacekeeping base. Plans are underway to transfer them to a UNIFIL referral hospital outside the conflict zone for further treatment. The traumatized soldier was also receiving support from mission medical teams.

Lebanese media and UN sources reported that the missile attack occurred amid intense clashes between Israeli forces and Iranian‑aligned Hezbollah fighters, who continue to exchange rocket and artillery fire. While UNIFIL has not officially confirmed responsibility for the attack by any particular group, the volatile security situation in southern Lebanon has repeatedly placed peacekeepers at risk of stray rockets and deliberate targeting.

In response to the incident, UNIFIL leadership reiterated its commitment to safeguarding peacekeepers and civilians in the region, calling on all parties to respect UN mandates and international law. The United Nations urged the protection of peacekeeping personnel and condemned any attacks on UN positions as threats to the broader mission of maintaining stability.

The escalation has also resulted in multiple civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across border towns on both sides of the Israel–Lebanon frontier, with Lebanese residents reporting missile impacts in residential areas and Israeli communities facing ongoing rocket barrages since the conflict’s expansion.

The missile strike on Ghanaian troops marks one of the most serious attacks on UN peacekeepers in recent weeks, highlighting fears that the Middle East war could draw wider international involvement and increase risks for non‑combatant forces operating under the UN banner.

Ghanaian UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missile Attack in Lebanon as Iran‑Linked War Escalates