19:46 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict LIVE: Saudi Urges Its Citizens to Leave Lebanon ‘Immediately’
Saudi Arabia on Sunday called on its citizens to leave Lebanon without delay, as regional tensions soar following high-profile killings in Tehran and Beirut blamed on Israel amid the Gaza war.
The Saudi embassy in Beirut said in a statement posted on social media platform X that it was “following closely the developments in south Lebanon”, near the border with Israel, and “reiterating its call for Saudi nationals to leave Lebanon’s territory immediately”.
16:57 IST
Two Dead in Israel Stabbing, Assailant Killed, Says Medics
Two people were killed and two others wounded in a stabbing attack near Tel Aviv Sunday, Israeli medics said, with police reporting a Palestinian suspect was “neutralised” and later died in hospital.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said in a statement that the “terrorist attack” took place in several locations in Holon, a southern suburb of Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv.
16:12 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Foreign Citizens Urged to Leave Lebanon ‘As Soon As Possible’ as Regional Tensions Spike
The US, UK and France are among several countries urging their citizens to leave Lebanon as heightened tensions in the region spark fears of a widening Middle East conflict.
The US Embassy in Lebanon called on citizens to book “any ticket available to them.” Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said his message for British citizens was “leave now.”
The region is on high alert after Iran vowed revenge on Israel, who it blames for the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the capital Tehran earlier this week. Haniyeh’s death came just hours after an Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut killed Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, Fu’ad Shukr.
16:03 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Jordan’s Top Diplomat to Make Rare Visit to Iran as Regional Tensions Soar
Jordan’s foreign minister is expected in Iran on Sunday, as the United States and its Arab allies try to prevent a wider war after the back-to-back killings of top Iran-allied militants sparked vows of revenge against Israel.
Ayman Safadi would be the first senior Jordanian official to pay an official visit to Iran in over 20 years. Jordan is a close Western ally and helped intercept scores of missiles and drones fired by Iran toward Israel in April. Iran said it was retaliating for the killing of its generals in an Israeli strike in Syria.
15:19 IST
Israeli Airstrike Hits Power Station In Southern Lebanese Town Of Taybeh
Lebanese media report that an Israeli airstrike targeted a power station at a water utility site in the southern Lebanese town of Taybeh earlier today. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet commented on the incident, The Times of Israel reported.
14:45 IST
Protesters Rally In Sydney Against Israel’s Targeted Killings And Gaza War
Hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators marched through the streets of Sydney, Australia, condemning the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The protesters, many waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs featuring Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran last week, expressed their outrage over Israel’s actions.
The rally, which took place in Sydney’s busy central business district, highlighted the global backlash against Israel’s targeted killings of the terror group leaders, according to The Times Of Israel.
14:28 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Two Dead In Israel Stabbing, Assailant Killed
Two people were killed Sunday and two others wounded in a stabbing attack near Tel Aviv, Israeli medics said, with police reporting a Palestinian suspect was “neutralised” and later died in hospital.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said in a statement that the “terrorist attack” took place in several locations in Holon, a southern suburb of Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv.
14:04 IST
Jordan’s Foreign Minister To Hold Talks In Iran Amid Increased Tensions In Middle East
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will visit Iran on Sunday for talks with his Iranian counterpart amid heightened regional tensions after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, the Iranian Student News Agency reported.
13:09 IST
‘As Early As Tomorrow’: US And Israeli Officials Warn Of Potential Iranian Attack
Officials in Washington and Jerusalem are bracing for a potential Iranian attack on Israel as early as tomorrow, according to the Axios news site.
General Michael Kurilla, head of the U.S. Central Command, arrived in the Middle East on a planned trip that coincides with defense preparations for a possible Iranian strike. The situation remains tense as both U.S. and Israeli military officials assess the implications of these high-profile killings.
12:41 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: France Calls On Citizens In Lebanon To Leave ‘As Soon As Possible’
France on Sunday called on its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country “as soon as possible” amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.
“In a highly volatile security context, we once again call the attention of French nationals, particularly those passing through, to the fact that direct commercial flights and ones with stopovers to France are still available, and we invite them to make their arrangements now to leave Lebanon as soon as possible,” the foreign ministry said in its travel advice notice for Lebanon.
12:07 IST
Central Israel Residents Report GPS Disruptions Amid Fears of Imminent Iranian Strike
Residents of central Israel, including the city of Tel Aviv, have reported widespread disruptions to navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze, with some motorists being shown as located in Beirut instead of their actual position.
As per Israeli media reports, these GPS malfunctions have raised concerns about a potential Iranian attack, as Israel braces for retaliation following the recent killings of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
11:39 IST
One Dead, Three Injured In Suspected Terror Stabbing Attack In Israel’s Holon
A woman in her 70s has died, and three others have been injured in a suspected terror stabbing attack in Holon, according to medics.
According to The Times of Israel, the attack occurred at two separate locations in the city. Among the injured, a man in his 70s is in critical condition, while another man, aged 68, is listed as serious. A 26-year-old victim is in moderate condition.
11:10 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: France Invites Its Citizens To Leave Lebanon Due To Military Risks
France has invited French citizens in Lebanon to leave the country due to a risk of military escalation in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said on Sunday in a travel advisory.
The French foreign ministry reiterated that it advised French citizens against travelling to Lebanon.
10:43 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Suspected Terror Attack In Holon Leaves 4 Injured In Stabbing Spree
At least four people were wounded in a suspected terror stabbing attack in Holon, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service. The incident occurred at two different locations within the city, according to The Times Of Israel.
Two of the victims are reported to be in critical condition, while the other two are listed as moderate-to-serious. The assailant was shot and neutralized by security forces at the scene.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders
10:09 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Hezbollah Fired Some 30 Rockets In Overnight Barrage
Hezbollah launched around 30 rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel late Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces announced, after the terror group claimed responsibility for the barrage shortly after midnight.
The Israeli military stated that air defense systems intercepted most of the rockets, though one struck near Beit Hillel and several landed in open areas. No injuries were reported.
In response, Israeli Air Force jets attacked the rocket launcher in the Marjaayoun area of southern Lebanon, along with other nearby terrorist infrastructure, according to the IDF statement. The military also eliminated a threat in the Odaisseh area using artillery fire.
09:44 IST
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Netanyahu Reportedly Offers Defense Portfolio to FM Katz
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly expressed interest in replacing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, checking with Foreign Minister Israel Katz to see if he would be interested in the defense portfolio.
According to the Israel Hayom daily, which cited unnamed sources within the ruling Likud party, the overtures were made both directly and through associates over the past two weeks. However, Katz declined the offer, stating he is not interested in leaving his current position.
09:29 IST
Israel And Allies Mobilise Under ‘Abraham Alliance’ As Fears Of Iranian Retaliation Grow
Israeli defence officials are actively coordinating with the United States and the United Kingdom in anticipation of a potential strike by Iran, similar to an attack thwarted by the country’s top allies earlier in April.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the coordinated defence from April in a controversial speech to a joint session of the US Congress last month, suggesting it could serve as a model for a NATO-like alliance he called the “Abraham Alliance.”
09:11 IST
Opinion | Hamas Chief Haniyeh’s Assassination: Early Signs of a More Volatile West Asia?
On July 31, leaders from around the world gathered in Tehran for the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Among them was Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of Hamas and one of its most senior leaders.
He was assassinated in Tehran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death hours after he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new president and stated that an investigation was underway, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
08:59 IST
Biden Warns Netanyahu: Haniyeh’s Assassination Could Hinder Ceasefire Deal
US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran was poorly timed and could prevent a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release, The Times Of Israel reported, citing a US official.
During an intense phone call on Thursday, Biden argued the operation, which came just as the US anticipated reaching a resolution in the negotiations, could ignite a broader regional conflict, the official said.
Netanyahu rejected claims that Israel was hindering a ceasefire agreement. While acknowledging Haniyeh’s death as the primary negotiator would temporarily stall progress, Netanyahu maintained he was not obstructing a deal, contending it would ultimately expedite the agreement by increasing pressure on Hamas.
08:45 IST
Israel Prepares For Potential Iranian Strike, Coordinates With Allies US And UK
Israeli defence officials are actively coordinating with the United States and the United Kingdom in anticipation of a potential strike by Iran.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed on Friday that he spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and UK Defense Secretary John Healey, providing them with a situational assessment in light of recent security developments.
As fears of a spillover from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza escalate, Iran has threatened retaliation for the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Iran-backed group Hamas. The situation remains tense as Israel braces for possible Iranian responses.
This morning, I hosted the UK Secretary of State for Defense, @JohnHealey_MP.
We discussed the important defense ties between Israel and the UK, and our shared commitment to maintaining and further strengthening cooperation in a number of strategic and military areas.
Thank… pic.twitter.com/0VclLOaCpp
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 2, 2024
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