Israel's war cabinet is set to meet to address escalating tensions on the Lebanon border, where rocket fire has caused numerous fires in northern Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for aggressive action against Hezbollah. Diplomatic messages from Western and Arab parties warn of an imminent Israeli strike, with Britain advising Lebanon to prepare for war. Hezbollah's attacks began in solidarity with Gaza following Hamas's assault on southern Israel. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 453 deaths in Lebanon and 25 in Israel.
Hamas' refusal to pay the price for prolonging the cease-fire, including the release of Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting, led to the collapse of the truce. As the IDF prepares for prolonged fighting in Gaza, the Biden administration warns that Israel's international credit is running out.
Rocket fire from southern Lebanon struck the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, causing widespread damage, as fighting intensified on the northern border. The Hamas terror group claimed responsibility for firing 12 rockets, while the Israel Defense Forces responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah positions. Tensions have been escalating on the northern border, with Hezbollah and allied groups attempting to pressure Israel's military as it advances a ground offensive in Gaza. Iran-backed groups in Yemen have also targeted Israel from the south, and allied militias have attacked US troops in Iraq and Syria.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked targets in Syria and Lebanon in response to rocket fire towards Israel. The IDF spokesperson announced that they have updated the families of 239 hostages taken into Gaza, with 40 people still missing. The Israel-Hamas War has entered its 23rd day, with ongoing rocket barrages and airstrikes. Protests against Israel and antisemitism have erupted in Dagestan, Russia. The World Food Programme called for a humanitarian pause to address the growing hunger and desperation in Gaza. The IDF chief emphasized the goal of dismantling Hamas and hitting enemy infrastructure. The UN and international community continue to call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid.
Rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel towns, and the Hezbollah terror group attacked several Israeli army posts along the border, as skirmishes on the frontier continued, amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces intercepted four rockets, while one rocket landed in a northern city without causing any injuries or damage. The IDF responded with artillery shelling and airstrikes against Hezbollah sites. The exchanges have resulted in the deaths of five Israeli soldiers, 13 Hezbollah terrorists, and five Palestinian terrorists.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, leading a congressional delegation to Israel, revealed that they were rushed to a shelter in Tel Aviv amid rocket fire from Hamas. Schumer emphasized the need to provide support to Israel and expressed his commitment to act in ensuring the Senate delivers the necessary aid for Israel's military, intelligence, and humanitarian goals. The delegation, including Senator Mitt Romney, met with Israeli officials to demonstrate unwavering bipartisan support for Israel. Schumer also announced his intention to spearhead a bipartisan Senate aid package for Israel upon his return to Washington.
Israel has temporarily shut down the Tamar offshore natural gas field due to heavy rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. The Energy Ministry ordered the suspension of production at the field, which is a major source of natural gas for the country. Power stations will need to rely on alternative fuels to meet electricity demands. Chevron, the operator of the Tamar reservoir, confirmed the shutdown. Israel's natural gas operations have played a crucial role in the country's energy independence, and the Leviathan field, the nation's largest, continues to pump gas.
Two rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel, prompting cross-border strikes by the Israeli military. The Israeli army reported no incidents within Israeli territory but confirmed an explosion beyond the border fence. Lebanon's state news agency reported that more than 15 projectiles landed on the outskirts of two Lebanese villages in response to the Israeli strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to convene the Security Cabinet to address the escalating tensions. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket fire, and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese group, did not comment on the reports.
A rocket was fired from Gaza towards southern Israel, just a day after a ceasefire ended five days of intense cross-border fighting. Hamas claims the rocket was due to a "technical error" and says it is still upholding the ceasefire. Israel's military said a single rocket fired from Gaza struck an open area. The renewed attack comes after Cairo, which brokered the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza, called on all sides to adhere to the agreement.
Israel has cut off talks for a ceasefire agreement with Palestinian Islamic Jihad after the terror group renewed intense rocket fire on Israel Friday morning. The rocket attacks shattered several hours of calm that had raised hopes overnight for a deal to end the hostilities, amid efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations to broker indirect talks. Ceasefire efforts had been held up by Islamic Jihad’s demand that Israel halt assassinations, a proposal Jerusalem has rejected outright.
Israel has renewed its air attacks on Gaza for a second day, hitting multiple locations including sites belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. In response, Palestinians fired rockets towards southern Israel. At least one Palestinian was killed and another wounded in the Israeli attacks. Hamas has called for a unified response to the "massacre committed by the Israeli occupation". Israeli authorities have instructed citizens living in towns along the Gaza fence to evacuate or remain inside shelters. The attacks come a day after Israeli forces killed 15 people, including four children, in Gaza City.
French journalist Arman Soldin, who worked for AFP news agency, was killed by rocket fire while reporting from the war zone in eastern Ukraine. Soldin was part of a team of journalists who came under attack while with a group of Ukrainian soldiers. He is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the war in Ukraine since February 2022. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Soldin's work on the front lines of the war, while the AFP chairman called his death a "terrible reminder of the risks and dangers faced by journalists every day covering the conflict in Ukraine".
Arman Soldin, AFP's Ukraine video coordinator, was killed by rocket fire near Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine while covering the conflict. Soldin, who had been living in Ukraine since September, was part of the first AFP team to be sent to Ukraine following the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022. His death brings the number of journalists or fixers and drivers for media teams killed covering the war in Ukraine to at least 11.
Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for excluding three mayors he had met with from a security call with local leaders amid a spate of violence. Netanyahu vowed to restore calm during the call and thanked the mayors for their citizens' "steadfastness" during rocket fire from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The leaders of three northern communities and regions that took rocket fire this week said they had not been invited to the call. Gantz likened Netanyahu's call to his decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last month.
The Lebanese army has found several rockets prepared for launch in southern Lebanon, two days after over three dozen projectiles were launched into Israel from its northern neighbor. Israel has blamed the Hamas terror group for the rocket fire, as well as volleys of rockets fired from Gaza. Its air force carried out strikes in both Gaza and Lebanon on Thursday night in retaliation. The uptick in violence has come as tensions have spiked in recent days following Israeli police incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to quell rioting. Lebanon has announced that it will file a complaint to the United Nations Security Council over the airstrikes.
