Thank you for following today's live blog. See you tomorrow for another day of coverage.
Washington: Islamic State (IS) group leader killed in Syria
The U.S. military announced on Friday that it had killed a leader of the IS group during a raid in Syria.
The U.S. has military bases in Syria and regularly conducts operations against remaining IS strongholds in the country.
A statement from the U.S. Military Command for the Middle East (Centcom) claimed Qader "was a member of IS who was actively seeking to attack the U.S." "His death disrupts the terrorist organization's ability to plan and conduct attacks against Americans or our partners," Centcom added.
Macron: Annexation of West Bank 'clear red line'
Israeli officials are threatening to annex the occupied West Bank in retaliation for France and other countries' recognition of Palestinian statehood, set to take place at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that this move would constitute "a clear red line."
An advisor to Macron told the press that ten countries, including France, which initiated the move, have decided to proceed with the recognition of the State of Palestine. The remaining countries include Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Portugal, Malta, the United Kingdom and San Marino.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran calls UN vote to reinstate sanctions "illegal"
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has described the Security Council's vote in favor of reinstating sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program as "hasty, unnecessary and illegal".
"Iran does not recognize any obligation to implement it," Amir-Saeid Iravani told the U.N. Security Council, describing the measure as "a policy of coercion".
Palestinian statehood: Ten countries, including France, set to recognize a Palestinian state at Monday's annual U.N. summit in New York, announces the French Presidency.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran denounces 'unfair pressure' after sanctions reinstated
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the "unfair pressure" on his country during a phone conversation with Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on Friday.
Iran "rejects any political action and unfair pressure that could lead to an escalation of tensions," said Araghchi shortly after sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program were reinstated.
Mahmoud Abbas to address UN summit online as US visa denied
The U.N. General Assembly has authorized Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to join next week's annual U.N. summit in New York via video link, during which several countries are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state.
The U.S. has refused or revoked visas for some 80 Palestinian members of the PA or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who were planning to attend the summit, including Abbas.
In a resolution adopted by 145 votes to five, with six abstentions, the General Assembly "regrets" the U.S. decision and calls for its reversal.
Health Ministry: One person killed in Israeli strike on Ansar
The Health Ministry has confirmed one fatality in the Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Ansar, Nabatieh district.
Iranian nuclear program: Sanctions against Tehran reinstated
The U.N. Security Council has given the green light to reinstate sanctions against Iran, with Paris, London and Berlin demanding firmer commitments on its nuclear program, according to AFP.
A text that would have maintained the lifting of sanctions decided in 2015 was rejected.
Qassem committed to fighting until "liberation of all our land"
Addressing the question of U.S. aid to the Lebanese Army, Naim Qassem said: "They only provide weapons to manage the internal situation, not to pose a threat to Israel. " "Let us unite to drive out Israel, undertake reconstruction, organize parliamentary elections and engage in dialogue in favor of the national defense strategy," he added. He also assured that the the party's fighters would continue to fight "until the end of Israel".
"We will accept nothing less than the liberation of all of our land, and our people remain committed to the weapons of 'the Resistance' because they have seen the benefits in the past."
"How can we lay down our arms during an ongoing genocide in Gaza under American cover?" he asked. "How can we lay down our arms when we have to liberate our land?"
He recalled that yesterday "five Lebanese villages were bombed with impunity, before the eyes of the world". "The Lebanese government is responsible for confronting these Israeli attacks; it must rise up and mobilize the Security Council," he said, before asking: "Why does it not question the Army about its plan to drive out the Israelis? "
"We are ready to assume our responsibilities with the Army, provided that it is against the Israeli enemy," he added.
He concluded his speech by saying: "They do not want to disarm us, but to sacrifice us and force us to surrender, without any American guarantee of Israeli restraint."
Naim Qassem: Region at a dangerous turning point
Naim Qassem asserted that "the entire region is facing a dangerous turning point," with the "expansionist Israeli entity reaching new heights of monstrosity with no restraint" due to American support.
"At one point, they had convinced the Arabs that Resistance is the foe while Israel is the friend, but after the strike on Qatar, it is clear that all countries in the region will be targeted, one after the other, until Israel achieves the expansion it desires," he argued.
"We must all face this danger and we must unite against this common enemy." "We must change the equation, make Israel the danger and not 'the Resistance,' and recognize that its threat is widespread across all Arabs and all communities," he concluded.
Naim Qassem calls for new chapter in relations with Saudi Arabia
In his speech, Naim Qassem called on "Saudi Arabia to turn a new page with 'the Resistance' and "freeze disputes during this exceptional period" in the face of the Israeli "enemy."
"We assure you that the weapons of 'the Resistance' are directed against Israel and not against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia or anyone else. Pressure on 'the Resistance' is a gift to Israel, and even in Palestine this resistance opposes Israeli expansionism," he added.
He went on to address the "Lebanese parties": "We are partners," he said, calling on them to come together to build Lebanon as one.
"The United States clearly states that it only makes room for Israeli interests, so how can we trust them?" he asked.
Israeli strike on Harouf, Nabatieh district. (Credit: photo received by our southern Lebanon correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah)
Israeli strike in Nabatieh district, no casualties reported
An Israeli drone carried out a strike in an uninhabited area in Harouf, Nabatieh district. Ambulances arrived to the scene, but no injuries were reported, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent.
Naim Qassem pays tribute to 'martyr' Ibrahim Aqil
In the first part of his speech, Naim Qassem paid tribute to Ibrahim Aqil: "Commander Ibrahim Aqil possessed two characteristics that earned him his position of enlightened leadership and led to his martyrdom. The first was his deep Islamic faith and erudition, the second was his jihad (fervor), driven by a clear goal: the liberation of Palestine."
Qassem said he would address the political situation in Lebanon and the region in the second part of his speech.
Naim Qassem Recalls Israel's killing of al-Radwan leadership
Naim Qassem recalls how "the Israeli enemy bombed a meeting center for the al-Radwan force commanders in the southern suburbs of Beirut" on Sept. 20, 2024, "killing eighteen commanders and around fifty civilian martyrs, including men, women and children".
"Four of them are still missing to this day," he adds.
Naim Qassem begins speech on one-year commemoration of Ibrahim Aqil's assassination
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem begins his speech commemorating the death of Ibrahim Aqil, head of the party's elite al-Radwan unit, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sept. 19, 2024, a year and a day ago today.
On that day, the Israeli army reported killing around "ten Hezbollah commanders" alongside him, signaling a marked escalation in the war. The assassinations took place almost two months after the killing of Fouad Shukr, the party's chief of staff.
Israel issued no warnings ahead of the strike, which killed a total of 52 people residing at the location where the Hezbollah leadership had gathered.
Iraq says senior Islamic State group leader killed in Syria
The Iraqi counterterrorism service said today that a senior Islamic State (IS) group leader was killed in a security operation in Syria, Reuters reports, which was carried out in coordination with the U.S.-led international coalition.
The commander, Omar Abdul Qader Bassam, known as "Abdul Rahman Al-Halabi," was the group's head of external operations and security, the service said.
He was accused of overseeing attacks in multiple countries, including the bombing of Iran's embassy in Lebanon, and planning other operations in Europe and the U.S. that were ultimately foiled through intelligence work, it added.
U.S. Central Command has carried out a series of strikes targeting IS figures in Syria. U.S. officials have warned the group is hoping to stage a comeback in the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Hezbollah hails Jordanian who killed Israeli soldiers as 'martyr'
In a statement, Hezbollah hailed the "martyrdom" of Jordanian Abdel Matlab Qaissi, who was shot dead by the Israeli army on the Jordanian-Israeli border after having himself "killed and wounded several enemy soldiers."
"The epic tale of this hero shows that the spirit of resistance and the will to liberate Palestine are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the region," the statement continued.
(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)
Shortly after the Tibnin strike and before Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech has begun, the Israeli army also struck Ansar in Nabatieh.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, a drone destroyed a tank truck carrying water and killed its occupant, Ammar Qosbaineh.
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Manar)
Hezbollah supporters await Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech.
The Massive British group Attack announced on Instagram that it refused to be broadcast in Israel because of the war in Gaza and that it wanted to leave the Spotify online music platform, due to its CEO's "investments" in an arms company.
"Massive Attack sent a formal request to our label [Universal Music Group] so that our music is withdrawn from all streaming services ... on the territory of Israel," said the group, very committed to the Palestinians, in a message published on Thursday.
(Credit: Screenshot of video relayed by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)
The smoke rising from the carcass of the vehicle affected by a drone shot recently in Tibnin, in the Bint Jbeil district.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, the Israeli strike in Tibnin killed one person, Hussein Hassan Ramadan.
Iraq announces death of senior Islamic State leader in Syria
The Iraqi Anti-Terrorism Service announced on Friday that a senior Islamic State official had been killed during a security operation in Syria, conducted in coordination with the international coalition led by the United States, reports Reuters.
According to this service, quoted by the agency, commander Omar Abdel Qader Bassam, known as "Abdel Rahman al-Halabi," was the head of the group's external operations and security. He was accused of supervised attacks in several countries, including the Iranian Embassy attack in Lebanon, as well as having planned other operations in Europe and the United States, ultimately thwarted thanks to the intelligence work, he added.
The U.S. central command (CENTCOM) has led a series of strikes aimed at Islamic State officials in Syria. U.S. officials warned that the group hoped to return to the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
A car was affected by a strike from an Israeli drone at the entrance to Tibin Governmental Hospital, Bint Jbeil district.
The car caught fire, and the first assessment reports wounded, according to our correspondent in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized Tony Blair to rally regional and international actors around the former British prime minister's proposal to establish a post-war transitional authority to govern the Gaza Strip until it can be handed over to the Palestinian Authority, four sources close to the matter told The Times of Israel.
The former Labour Party prime minister, whose support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s proved politically costly for his party, began developing this proposal in the early months of the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, conceiving it as a post-war plan.
In recent months, this proposal has also evolved into a plan to end the war, with the Trump administration concluding that an agreement among key players on the entity that will replace Hamas in Gaza is essential to securing a permanent ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages, according to an American official and a second source familiar with the matter.
Japan does not intend to recognize a Palestinian state during the U.N. meetings scheduled this month, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Friday, according to Reuters.
He further clarified that for Tokyo, which supports the two-state solution, the issue is not whether to recognize a Palestinian state, but when to do so.
An Israeli drone dropped a sonic bomb over Yarin, in the Sour district, according to our correspondent.
Four protesters, including Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov, were arrested on Friday during a demonstration against the war on the Gaza border near Re'im, Haaretz reported. The protesters were carrying signs reading "Stop Zionist terrorism" and "Isolate Israel."
The Israeli army fired two illuminating shells from its territory, near the border, targeting the forest in the village of Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, in an apparent attempt to start fires, according to our correspondent in the region.
The Shiite cleric Ali Fadlallah expressed his disappointment with the international response following the Israeli airstrike in Qatar, the continued destructive offensive by the Israeli state against Gaza, and its ongoing aggression in southern Lebanon despite the cease-fire in effect since the end of November 2023, according to the National News Agency.
“Like all Arab and Muslim peoples, we hoped that these recent events would shake the world, prompting nations to take a stance commensurate with these dangers and send a strong message to this state and all its supporters … Unfortunately, the decisions taken were not commensurate with this provocative aggression, amounting only to statements of condemnation and disapproval, without any concrete action capable of deterring the Zionist enemy, thus confirming once again the weakness of the international community in the face of these challenges and giving the enemy the green light to continue its aggression,” the religious figure stated from his residence in Haret Hreik.
Gaza City offensive: Israeli army says will use 'unprecedented force,' urges residents to evacuate, closes one of two evacuation routes to the south
The Israeli army announced on Friday that it would continue to use “unprecedented force” and that it was closing one of the two evacuation routes connecting the city to the southern part of the enclave, as it had announced on Wednesday.
“As of now, Salah al-Din Road is closed for travel to the south … it is only possible to travel south via Al-Rashid Road,” the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, posted on X.
“For your safety, take this opportunity and join the hundreds of thousands of residents of the city who have already moved south to the humanitarian zone,” he wrote.
The Israeli army will continue its operations “with intense and unprecedented force against Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” he also warned.
Iran nuclear deal: Iran withdraws resolution condemning attacks on nuclear sites, citing US pressure
Iran decided at the last minute on Thursday evening to withdraw a resolution calling for a ban on all attacks against nuclear facilities, citing U.S. pressure, AFP reported.
Members of the IAEA told Iranian representatives that they were "under significant pressure and intimidation from the United States not to vote in favor of the resolution," Iranian Ambassador to Vienna, Reza Najafi, told AFP. According to him, these countries asked Iran to postpone the presentation of this resolution until the next conference.
The text included a paragraph that "strongly condemned the deliberate and illegal attacks carried out in June 2023" against Iran's nuclear facilities, adding that they constituted "flagrant violations of international law."
It also reaffirmed that "all states must refrain from attacking or threatening to attack peaceful nuclear facilities in other countries."
Fatal shooting at Allenby border crossing: Saar sees 'enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state''; Ben-Gvir calls for 'dismantling Palestinian Authority'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, commenting on his X account on Friday about Thursday's fatal shooting at the Allenby border crossing, stated that "despite its commitments, the Palestinian Authority is not fighting terrorism."
"This proves once again the enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state,'" he wrote, adding that "if Israel does not maintain security control over Judea and Samaria [biblical names used in Israel to refer to the West Bank, the Palestinian territory occupied by the Israeli army since 1967], the entire State of Israel will be in danger."
For his part, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated on his X account that "if we don't dismantle the Palestinian Authority in time, we will wake up too late, as happened in Gaza." According to him, "The Palestinian Authority is a terrorist organization, which is training to carry out another Oct. 7 in Judea and Samaria, and which pays salaries to those who kill Jews."
Israel-Yemen: Israel Katz threatens Houthi leader with death, promises to fly Israeli flag 'in unified capital of Yemen'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened the Houthi leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, with death on Friday in a message posted in Hebrew on his X account. "Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, your time will come," he wrote. "You will be sent to join your entire government and all the corrupt members of the axis of evil who await you in the depths of hell," he added.
He then continued: "The slogan 'Death to Israel, curse upon the Jews' inscribed on the Houthi flag will be replaced by the blue and white Israeli flag, which will fly in the unified capital of Yemen."
Occupied West Bank: Over 75 Palestinians arrested in the past week, according to Israeli army
The Israeli army reportedly arrested 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, according to the Israeli military, as reported by Haaretz.
According to the army, "security forces seized weapons and conducted operations in several areas targeting suspects affiliated with Hamas, as well as others accused of promoting terrorist activities."
Furthermore, three Palestinians "suspected of manufacturing rockets" were arrested on Friday in the village of Kafr Ni'ma, near Ramallah, according to the Israeli army, as reported by Haaretz.
Major offensive on Gaza City: 480,000 residents reportedly fled south, according to the Israeli army
As the major offensive on Gaza City continues, approximately 480,000 Palestinians have reportedly fled south, according to new estimates from the Israeli army. On Wednesday morning, AFP reported that more than 350,000 people had fled the city, which had a population of approximately one million, according to the U.N., at the end of August.
The coastal road along the Gaza Strip was jammed on Thursday with people fleeing south, either on foot, by car, or on donkey-drawn carts, their belongings hastily packed, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
Fatal shooting at Allenby Bridge border crossing: Israel closes the only crossing point between the occupied West Bank and Jordan
Israel closed the only border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan on Friday, a day after an attack in which a driver transporting humanitarian aid from Jordan to Gaza opened fire, killing two Israeli soldiers, Reuters reported.
The Israel Airports Authority, which manages the Allenby Bridge crossing (the only route for more than three million Palestinians in the West Bank to travel to Jordan and, from there, to the rest of the world), announced that it would remain closed "until further notice."
The two other border crossings directly connecting Israel to Jordan were also affected: The Jordan River crossing in the north was closed, while the Rabin crossing in the south remains open only for workers, the agency reported.
“Israel’s airstrikes in southern Lebanon last night constitute violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 [2006] and jeopardize the fragile stability that has been established since November of last year. They also undermine civilian confidence that a non-violent solution to this conflict is possible,” UNIFIL stated in a press release.
“The peacekeepers continue to support both parties in the implementation of Resolution 1701. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the field every day, working to restore stability in the south and along the Blue Line. Peacekeepers at two positions in Deir Kifa, near Bourj Qalaway, took shelter for their safety. These airstrikes endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, U.N. peacekeepers and civilians,” the U.N. force added.
“We call on the Israeli Defense Forces to refrain from any further airstrikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. We also call on all parties to avoid any further violations or escalatory actions,” it further emphasized.
“We urge the parties to respect their obligations under Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreement. These mechanisms exist precisely to address concerns and prevent the unilateral use of force, and they must be fully utilized. Any further escalation jeopardizes the hard-won progress made by the parties to restore stability,” UNIFIL concluded.
Nuclear deal: Iran says it has made 'fair' proposal to prevent reinstatement of sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday in a statement on X that he had submitted a "fair and balanced" proposal to the European powers on the nuclear issue in order to prevent the reinstatement of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
"Iran is presenting a creative, fair, and balanced proposal that addresses legitimate concerns and is mutually beneficial," Araghchi wrote on X.
Following his meeting with the army commander-in-chief, President Joseph Aoun also discussed recent security developments in southern Lebanon with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Aoun is scheduled to travel to New York on Saturday to lead the Lebanese delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. to pay tribute to Commander Ibrahim Akil, who was killed along with other members of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut one year ago.
During a meeting in the Baabda Presidential Palace with the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Rodolph Haykal, President Joseph Aoun discussed the security situation in the country and the Israeli attacks that targeted several towns and villages in the south yesterday, as well as the results achieved by the army in the fight against drugs, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The Israeli army announced that, in coordination with the Shin Bet, it arrested more than 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, claiming, without providing any evidence, that they were involved in terrorist activities, according to Haaretz.
In the Bekaa Valley, since 6 a.m. this morning, Israeli drones have been overflying the towns of Janta, Yahfufa, Khreibeh, Nabi Sheet, Khodr, Sireen, Brital, Hawr Taqla, and Taybeh, according to our correspondent in the region.
In the suburbs of Beirut, the sound of a drone was also heard over the highway connecting the capital to the Bekaa Valley.
Gaza: In book, Pope declines to characterize war in Gaza as 'genocide'
The Vatican "cannot take a position" at this stage on whether the war waged by Israel in Gaza constitutes "genocide," Pope Francis stated in an interview conducted in July and published on Thursday, according to AFP.
"The word 'genocide' is being used more and more. Officially, the Holy See believes that we cannot take a position on this matter at the moment," the Pope said in a book published in Spanish in Peru, entitled "Francis, Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century."
"There is a very technical definition of what constitutes genocide, but more and more people are raising the issue, including two human rights groups in Israel," he added.
In the book, the Pope also expressed his concern that "no clear solution has been found to effectively alleviate the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza."
"This is true even of the United States, which is obviously the most important third party to exert pressure on Israel — despite the very clear statements from the U.S. government, and recently from President [Donald] Trump," he stated.
This morning, the Israeli army announced that it had intercepted two drones launched from Yemen on Thursday evening, two days after carrying out further airstrikes on the Hodeida Port.
In Rafah, at least four Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion on Thursday, according to the Israeli army.
As the Israeli army launched a ground assault in Gaza City this week, the United States once again blocked the U.N. Security Council from adopting a resolution on Thursday, demanding a cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. This move sparked outrage among member states, who refuse to abandon their efforts to influence the situation despite repeated U.S. vetoes.
"This is a dark moment for this Council," lamented Pakistani Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. "The world is watching. The cries of the children should pierce our hearts; the anguish of the mothers should shake our consciences," he added, vowing to "continue to act, to speak out."
"Forgive us because this Council could not save your children," Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama declared, addressing the people of Gaza. "Forgive us because the world speaks of rights but denies yours, Palestinians."
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to recognize a Palestinian state in an interview with an Israeli television channel, stating that it was "the best way to isolate Hamas." He also once again strongly condemned the offensive in Gaza, which, "completely destroys" Israel's "credibility."
In southern Lebanon, a fragile calm has returned after an unprecedented series of Israeli airstrikes that began on Thursday evening. Hezbollah continues to refuse to hand over its weapons, and the U.S. envoy, Morgan Ortagus, is expected in Beirut on Sunday to discuss the issue and try to prevent an escalation.
According to our correspondent in the region, Israeli drones dropped five explosive devices over the port of Naqoura in southern Lebanon between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. One of them exploded on the roof of a Lebanese Army intelligence center. A fisherman was also slightly injured, but did not require hospitalization.
Residents of several towns finally managed to sleep through the night, despite the constant buzzing of Israeli drones patrolling Lebanese airspace.
We are now launching our live coverage of the latest news from the Middle East.
Here, we will be following developments in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and other countries in the region affected by the conflicts that have been raging since Oct. 7, 2023.
Thank you for following today's live blog. See you tomorrow for another day of coverage.
Washington: Islamic State (IS) group leader killed in Syria
The U.S. military announced on Friday that it had killed a leader of the IS group during a raid in Syria.
The U.S. has military bases in Syria and regularly conducts operations against remaining IS strongholds in the country.
A statement from the U.S. Military Command for the Middle East (Centcom) claimed Qader "was a member of IS who was actively seeking to attack the U.S." "His death disrupts the terrorist organization's ability to plan and conduct attacks against Americans or our partners," Centcom added.
Macron: Annexation of West Bank 'clear red line'
Israeli officials are threatening to annex the occupied West Bank in retaliation for France and other countries' recognition of Palestinian statehood, set to take place at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that this move would constitute "a clear red line."
An advisor to Macron told the press that ten countries, including France, which initiated the move, have decided to proceed with the recognition of the State of Palestine. The remaining countries include Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Portugal, Malta, the United Kingdom and San Marino.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran calls UN vote to reinstate sanctions "illegal"
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has described the Security Council's vote in favor of reinstating sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program as "hasty, unnecessary and illegal".
"Iran does not recognize any obligation to implement it," Amir-Saeid Iravani told the U.N. Security Council, describing the measure as "a policy of coercion".
Palestinian statehood: Ten countries, including France, set to recognize a Palestinian state at Monday's annual U.N. summit in New York, announces the French Presidency.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran denounces 'unfair pressure' after sanctions reinstated
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the "unfair pressure" on his country during a phone conversation with Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on Friday.
Iran "rejects any political action and unfair pressure that could lead to an escalation of tensions," said Araghchi shortly after sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program were reinstated.
Mahmoud Abbas to address UN summit online as US visa denied
The U.N. General Assembly has authorized Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to join next week's annual U.N. summit in New York via video link, during which several countries are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state.
The U.S. has refused or revoked visas for some 80 Palestinian members of the PA or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who were planning to attend the summit, including Abbas.
In a resolution adopted by 145 votes to five, with six abstentions, the General Assembly "regrets" the U.S. decision and calls for its reversal.
Health Ministry: One person killed in Israeli strike on Ansar
The Health Ministry has confirmed one fatality in the Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Ansar, Nabatieh district.
Iranian nuclear program: Sanctions against Tehran reinstated
The U.N. Security Council has given the green light to reinstate sanctions against Iran, with Paris, London and Berlin demanding firmer commitments on its nuclear program, according to AFP.
A text that would have maintained the lifting of sanctions decided in 2015 was rejected.
Qassem committed to fighting until "liberation of all our land"
Addressing the question of U.S. aid to the Lebanese Army, Naim Qassem said: "They only provide weapons to manage the internal situation, not to pose a threat to Israel. " "Let us unite to drive out Israel, undertake reconstruction, organize parliamentary elections and engage in dialogue in favor of the national defense strategy," he added. He also assured that the the party's fighters would continue to fight "until the end of Israel".
"We will accept nothing less than the liberation of all of our land, and our people remain committed to the weapons of 'the Resistance' because they have seen the benefits in the past."
"How can we lay down our arms during an ongoing genocide in Gaza under American cover?" he asked. "How can we lay down our arms when we have to liberate our land?"
He recalled that yesterday "five Lebanese villages were bombed with impunity, before the eyes of the world". "The Lebanese government is responsible for confronting these Israeli attacks; it must rise up and mobilize the Security Council," he said, before asking: "Why does it not question the Army about its plan to drive out the Israelis? "
"We are ready to assume our responsibilities with the Army, provided that it is against the Israeli enemy," he added.
He concluded his speech by saying: "They do not want to disarm us, but to sacrifice us and force us to surrender, without any American guarantee of Israeli restraint."
Naim Qassem: Region at a dangerous turning point
Naim Qassem asserted that "the entire region is facing a dangerous turning point," with the "expansionist Israeli entity reaching new heights of monstrosity with no restraint" due to American support.
"At one point, they had convinced the Arabs that Resistance is the foe while Israel is the friend, but after the strike on Qatar, it is clear that all countries in the region will be targeted, one after the other, until Israel achieves the expansion it desires," he argued.
"We must all face this danger and we must unite against this common enemy." "We must change the equation, make Israel the danger and not 'the Resistance,' and recognize that its threat is widespread across all Arabs and all communities," he concluded.
Naim Qassem calls for new chapter in relations with Saudi Arabia
In his speech, Naim Qassem called on "Saudi Arabia to turn a new page with 'the Resistance' and "freeze disputes during this exceptional period" in the face of the Israeli "enemy."
"We assure you that the weapons of 'the Resistance' are directed against Israel and not against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia or anyone else. Pressure on 'the Resistance' is a gift to Israel, and even in Palestine this resistance opposes Israeli expansionism," he added.
He went on to address the "Lebanese parties": "We are partners," he said, calling on them to come together to build Lebanon as one.
"The United States clearly states that it only makes room for Israeli interests, so how can we trust them?" he asked.
Israeli strike on Harouf, Nabatieh district. (Credit: photo received by our southern Lebanon correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah)
Israeli strike in Nabatieh district, no casualties reported
An Israeli drone carried out a strike in an uninhabited area in Harouf, Nabatieh district. Ambulances arrived to the scene, but no injuries were reported, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent.
Naim Qassem pays tribute to 'martyr' Ibrahim Aqil
In the first part of his speech, Naim Qassem paid tribute to Ibrahim Aqil: "Commander Ibrahim Aqil possessed two characteristics that earned him his position of enlightened leadership and led to his martyrdom. The first was his deep Islamic faith and erudition, the second was his jihad (fervor), driven by a clear goal: the liberation of Palestine."
Qassem said he would address the political situation in Lebanon and the region in the second part of his speech.
Naim Qassem Recalls Israel's killing of al-Radwan leadership
Naim Qassem recalls how "the Israeli enemy bombed a meeting center for the al-Radwan force commanders in the southern suburbs of Beirut" on Sept. 20, 2024, "killing eighteen commanders and around fifty civilian martyrs, including men, women and children".
"Four of them are still missing to this day," he adds.
Naim Qassem begins speech on one-year commemoration of Ibrahim Aqil's assassination
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem begins his speech commemorating the death of Ibrahim Aqil, head of the party's elite al-Radwan unit, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sept. 19, 2024, a year and a day ago today.
On that day, the Israeli army reported killing around "ten Hezbollah commanders" alongside him, signaling a marked escalation in the war. The assassinations took place almost two months after the killing of Fouad Shukr, the party's chief of staff.
Israel issued no warnings ahead of the strike, which killed a total of 52 people residing at the location where the Hezbollah leadership had gathered.
Iraq says senior Islamic State group leader killed in Syria
The Iraqi counterterrorism service said today that a senior Islamic State (IS) group leader was killed in a security operation in Syria, Reuters reports, which was carried out in coordination with the U.S.-led international coalition.
The commander, Omar Abdul Qader Bassam, known as "Abdul Rahman Al-Halabi," was the group's head of external operations and security, the service said.
He was accused of overseeing attacks in multiple countries, including the bombing of Iran's embassy in Lebanon, and planning other operations in Europe and the U.S. that were ultimately foiled through intelligence work, it added.
U.S. Central Command has carried out a series of strikes targeting IS figures in Syria. U.S. officials have warned the group is hoping to stage a comeback in the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Hezbollah hails Jordanian who killed Israeli soldiers as 'martyr'
In a statement, Hezbollah hailed the "martyrdom" of Jordanian Abdel Matlab Qaissi, who was shot dead by the Israeli army on the Jordanian-Israeli border after having himself "killed and wounded several enemy soldiers."
"The epic tale of this hero shows that the spirit of resistance and the will to liberate Palestine are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the region," the statement continued.
(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)
Shortly after the Tibnin strike and before Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech has begun, the Israeli army also struck Ansar in Nabatieh.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, a drone destroyed a tank truck carrying water and killed its occupant, Ammar Qosbaineh.
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Manar)
Hezbollah supporters await Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech.
The Massive British group Attack announced on Instagram that it refused to be broadcast in Israel because of the war in Gaza and that it wanted to leave the Spotify online music platform, due to its CEO's "investments" in an arms company.
"Massive Attack sent a formal request to our label [Universal Music Group] so that our music is withdrawn from all streaming services ... on the territory of Israel," said the group, very committed to the Palestinians, in a message published on Thursday.
(Credit: Screenshot of video relayed by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)
The smoke rising from the carcass of the vehicle affected by a drone shot recently in Tibnin, in the Bint Jbeil district.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, the Israeli strike in Tibnin killed one person, Hussein Hassan Ramadan.
Iraq announces death of senior Islamic State leader in Syria
The Iraqi Anti-Terrorism Service announced on Friday that a senior Islamic State official had been killed during a security operation in Syria, conducted in coordination with the international coalition led by the United States, reports Reuters.
According to this service, quoted by the agency, commander Omar Abdel Qader Bassam, known as "Abdel Rahman al-Halabi," was the head of the group's external operations and security. He was accused of supervised attacks in several countries, including the Iranian Embassy attack in Lebanon, as well as having planned other operations in Europe and the United States, ultimately thwarted thanks to the intelligence work, he added.
The U.S. central command (CENTCOM) has led a series of strikes aimed at Islamic State officials in Syria. U.S. officials warned that the group hoped to return to the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
A car was affected by a strike from an Israeli drone at the entrance to Tibin Governmental Hospital, Bint Jbeil district.
The car caught fire, and the first assessment reports wounded, according to our correspondent in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized Tony Blair to rally regional and international actors around the former British prime minister's proposal to establish a post-war transitional authority to govern the Gaza Strip until it can be handed over to the Palestinian Authority, four sources close to the matter told The Times of Israel.
The former Labour Party prime minister, whose support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s proved politically costly for his party, began developing this proposal in the early months of the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, conceiving it as a post-war plan.
In recent months, this proposal has also evolved into a plan to end the war, with the Trump administration concluding that an agreement among key players on the entity that will replace Hamas in Gaza is essential to securing a permanent ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages, according to an American official and a second source familiar with the matter.
Japan does not intend to recognize a Palestinian state during the U.N. meetings scheduled this month, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Friday, according to Reuters.
He further clarified that for Tokyo, which supports the two-state solution, the issue is not whether to recognize a Palestinian state, but when to do so.
An Israeli drone dropped a sonic bomb over Yarin, in the Sour district, according to our correspondent.
Four protesters, including Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov, were arrested on Friday during a demonstration against the war on the Gaza border near Re'im, Haaretz reported. The protesters were carrying signs reading "Stop Zionist terrorism" and "Isolate Israel."
The Israeli army fired two illuminating shells from its territory, near the border, targeting the forest in the village of Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, in an apparent attempt to start fires, according to our correspondent in the region.
The Shiite cleric Ali Fadlallah expressed his disappointment with the international response following the Israeli airstrike in Qatar, the continued destructive offensive by the Israeli state against Gaza, and its ongoing aggression in southern Lebanon despite the cease-fire in effect since the end of November 2023, according to the National News Agency.
“Like all Arab and Muslim peoples, we hoped that these recent events would shake the world, prompting nations to take a stance commensurate with these dangers and send a strong message to this state and all its supporters … Unfortunately, the decisions taken were not commensurate with this provocative aggression, amounting only to statements of condemnation and disapproval, without any concrete action capable of deterring the Zionist enemy, thus confirming once again the weakness of the international community in the face of these challenges and giving the enemy the green light to continue its aggression,” the religious figure stated from his residence in Haret Hreik.
Gaza City offensive: Israeli army says will use 'unprecedented force,' urges residents to evacuate, closes one of two evacuation routes to the south
The Israeli army announced on Friday that it would continue to use “unprecedented force” and that it was closing one of the two evacuation routes connecting the city to the southern part of the enclave, as it had announced on Wednesday.
“As of now, Salah al-Din Road is closed for travel to the south … it is only possible to travel south via Al-Rashid Road,” the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, posted on X.
“For your safety, take this opportunity and join the hundreds of thousands of residents of the city who have already moved south to the humanitarian zone,” he wrote.
The Israeli army will continue its operations “with intense and unprecedented force against Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” he also warned.
Iran nuclear deal: Iran withdraws resolution condemning attacks on nuclear sites, citing US pressure
Iran decided at the last minute on Thursday evening to withdraw a resolution calling for a ban on all attacks against nuclear facilities, citing U.S. pressure, AFP reported.
Members of the IAEA told Iranian representatives that they were "under significant pressure and intimidation from the United States not to vote in favor of the resolution," Iranian Ambassador to Vienna, Reza Najafi, told AFP. According to him, these countries asked Iran to postpone the presentation of this resolution until the next conference.
The text included a paragraph that "strongly condemned the deliberate and illegal attacks carried out in June 2023" against Iran's nuclear facilities, adding that they constituted "flagrant violations of international law."
It also reaffirmed that "all states must refrain from attacking or threatening to attack peaceful nuclear facilities in other countries."
Fatal shooting at Allenby border crossing: Saar sees 'enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state''; Ben-Gvir calls for 'dismantling Palestinian Authority'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, commenting on his X account on Friday about Thursday's fatal shooting at the Allenby border crossing, stated that "despite its commitments, the Palestinian Authority is not fighting terrorism."
"This proves once again the enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state,'" he wrote, adding that "if Israel does not maintain security control over Judea and Samaria [biblical names used in Israel to refer to the West Bank, the Palestinian territory occupied by the Israeli army since 1967], the entire State of Israel will be in danger."
For his part, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated on his X account that "if we don't dismantle the Palestinian Authority in time, we will wake up too late, as happened in Gaza." According to him, "The Palestinian Authority is a terrorist organization, which is training to carry out another Oct. 7 in Judea and Samaria, and which pays salaries to those who kill Jews."
Israel-Yemen: Israel Katz threatens Houthi leader with death, promises to fly Israeli flag 'in unified capital of Yemen'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened the Houthi leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, with death on Friday in a message posted in Hebrew on his X account. "Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, your time will come," he wrote. "You will be sent to join your entire government and all the corrupt members of the axis of evil who await you in the depths of hell," he added.
He then continued: "The slogan 'Death to Israel, curse upon the Jews' inscribed on the Houthi flag will be replaced by the blue and white Israeli flag, which will fly in the unified capital of Yemen."
Occupied West Bank: Over 75 Palestinians arrested in the past week, according to Israeli army
The Israeli army reportedly arrested 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, according to the Israeli military, as reported by Haaretz.
According to the army, "security forces seized weapons and conducted operations in several areas targeting suspects affiliated with Hamas, as well as others accused of promoting terrorist activities."
Furthermore, three Palestinians "suspected of manufacturing rockets" were arrested on Friday in the village of Kafr Ni'ma, near Ramallah, according to the Israeli army, as reported by Haaretz.
Major offensive on Gaza City: 480,000 residents reportedly fled south, according to the Israeli army
As the major offensive on Gaza City continues, approximately 480,000 Palestinians have reportedly fled south, according to new estimates from the Israeli army. On Wednesday morning, AFP reported that more than 350,000 people had fled the city, which had a population of approximately one million, according to the U.N., at the end of August.
The coastal road along the Gaza Strip was jammed on Thursday with people fleeing south, either on foot, by car, or on donkey-drawn carts, their belongings hastily packed, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
Fatal shooting at Allenby Bridge border crossing: Israel closes the only crossing point between the occupied West Bank and Jordan
Israel closed the only border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan on Friday, a day after an attack in which a driver transporting humanitarian aid from Jordan to Gaza opened fire, killing two Israeli soldiers, Reuters reported.
The Israel Airports Authority, which manages the Allenby Bridge crossing (the only route for more than three million Palestinians in the West Bank to travel to Jordan and, from there, to the rest of the world), announced that it would remain closed "until further notice."
The two other border crossings directly connecting Israel to Jordan were also affected: The Jordan River crossing in the north was closed, while the Rabin crossing in the south remains open only for workers, the agency reported.
“Israel’s airstrikes in southern Lebanon last night constitute violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 [2006] and jeopardize the fragile stability that has been established since November of last year. They also undermine civilian confidence that a non-violent solution to this conflict is possible,” UNIFIL stated in a press release.
“The peacekeepers continue to support both parties in the implementation of Resolution 1701. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the field every day, working to restore stability in the south and along the Blue Line. Peacekeepers at two positions in Deir Kifa, near Bourj Qalaway, took shelter for their safety. These airstrikes endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, U.N. peacekeepers and civilians,” the U.N. force added.
“We call on the Israeli Defense Forces to refrain from any further airstrikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. We also call on all parties to avoid any further violations or escalatory actions,” it further emphasized.
“We urge the parties to respect their obligations under Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreement. These mechanisms exist precisely to address concerns and prevent the unilateral use of force, and they must be fully utilized. Any further escalation jeopardizes the hard-won progress made by the parties to restore stability,” UNIFIL concluded.
Nuclear deal: Iran says it has made 'fair' proposal to prevent reinstatement of sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday in a statement on X that he had submitted a "fair and balanced" proposal to the European powers on the nuclear issue in order to prevent the reinstatement of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
"Iran is presenting a creative, fair, and balanced proposal that addresses legitimate concerns and is mutually beneficial," Araghchi wrote on X.
Following his meeting with the army commander-in-chief, President Joseph Aoun also discussed recent security developments in southern Lebanon with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Aoun is scheduled to travel to New York on Saturday to lead the Lebanese delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. to pay tribute to Commander Ibrahim Akil, who was killed along with other members of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut one year ago.
During a meeting in the Baabda Presidential Palace with the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Rodolph Haykal, President Joseph Aoun discussed the security situation in the country and the Israeli attacks that targeted several towns and villages in the south yesterday, as well as the results achieved by the army in the fight against drugs, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The Israeli army announced that, in coordination with the Shin Bet, it arrested more than 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, claiming, without providing any evidence, that they were involved in terrorist activities, according to Haaretz.
In the Bekaa Valley, since 6 a.m. this morning, Israeli drones have been overflying the towns of Janta, Yahfufa, Khreibeh, Nabi Sheet, Khodr, Sireen, Brital, Hawr Taqla, and Taybeh, according to our correspondent in the region.
In the suburbs of Beirut, the sound of a drone was also heard over the highway connecting the capital to the Bekaa Valley.
Gaza: In book, Pope declines to characterize war in Gaza as 'genocide'
The Vatican "cannot take a position" at this stage on whether the war waged by Israel in Gaza constitutes "genocide," Pope Francis stated in an interview conducted in July and published on Thursday, according to AFP.
"The word 'genocide' is being used more and more. Officially, the Holy See believes that we cannot take a position on this matter at the moment," the Pope said in a book published in Spanish in Peru, entitled "Francis, Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century."
"There is a very technical definition of what constitutes genocide, but more and more people are raising the issue, including two human rights groups in Israel," he added.
In the book, the Pope also expressed his concern that "no clear solution has been found to effectively alleviate the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza."
"This is true even of the United States, which is obviously the most important third party to exert pressure on Israel — despite the very clear statements from the U.S. government, and recently from President [Donald] Trump," he stated.
This morning, the Israeli army announced that it had intercepted two drones launched from Yemen on Thursday evening, two days after carrying out further airstrikes on the Hodeida Port.
In Rafah, at least four Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion on Thursday, according to the Israeli army.
As the Israeli army launched a ground assault in Gaza City this week, the United States once again blocked the U.N. Security Council from adopting a resolution on Thursday, demanding a cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. This move sparked outrage among member states, who refuse to abandon their efforts to influence the situation despite repeated U.S. vetoes.
"This is a dark moment for this Council," lamented Pakistani Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. "The world is watching. The cries of the children should pierce our hearts; the anguish of the mothers should shake our consciences," he added, vowing to "continue to act, to speak out."
"Forgive us because this Council could not save your children," Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama declared, addressing the people of Gaza. "Forgive us because the world speaks of rights but denies yours, Palestinians."
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to recognize a Palestinian state in an interview with an Israeli television channel, stating that it was "the best way to isolate Hamas." He also once again strongly condemned the offensive in Gaza, which, "completely destroys" Israel's "credibility."
In southern Lebanon, a fragile calm has returned after an unprecedented series of Israeli airstrikes that began on Thursday evening. Hezbollah continues to refuse to hand over its weapons, and the U.S. envoy, Morgan Ortagus, is expected in Beirut on Sunday to discuss the issue and try to prevent an escalation.
According to our correspondent in the region, Israeli drones dropped five explosive devices over the port of Naqoura in southern Lebanon between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. One of them exploded on the roof of a Lebanese Army intelligence center. A fisherman was also slightly injured, but did not require hospitalization.
Residents of several towns finally managed to sleep through the night, despite the constant buzzing of Israeli drones patrolling Lebanese airspace.
We are now launching our live coverage of the latest news from the Middle East.
Here, we will be following developments in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and other countries in the region affected by the conflicts that have been raging since Oct. 7, 2023.
Thank you for following today's live blog. See you tomorrow for another day of coverage.
Washington: Islamic State (IS) group leader killed in Syria
The U.S. military announced on Friday that it had killed a leader of the IS group during a raid in Syria.
The U.S. has military bases in Syria and regularly conducts operations against remaining IS strongholds in the country.
A statement from the U.S. Military Command for the Middle East (Centcom) claimed Qader "was a member of IS who was actively seeking to attack the U.S." "His death disrupts the terrorist organization's ability to plan and conduct attacks against Americans or our partners," Centcom added.
Macron: Annexation of West Bank 'clear red line'
Israeli officials are threatening to annex the occupied West Bank in retaliation for France and other countries' recognition of Palestinian statehood, set to take place at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that this move would constitute "a clear red line."
An advisor to Macron told the press that ten countries, including France, which initiated the move, have decided to proceed with the recognition of the State of Palestine. The remaining countries include Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Portugal, Malta, the United Kingdom and San Marino.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran calls UN vote to reinstate sanctions "illegal"
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has described the Security Council's vote in favor of reinstating sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program as "hasty, unnecessary and illegal".
"Iran does not recognize any obligation to implement it," Amir-Saeid Iravani told the U.N. Security Council, describing the measure as "a policy of coercion".
Palestinian statehood: Ten countries, including France, set to recognize a Palestinian state at Monday's annual U.N. summit in New York, announces the French Presidency.
Iranian nuclear program: Tehran denounces 'unfair pressure' after sanctions reinstated
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the "unfair pressure" on his country during a phone conversation with Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on Friday.
Iran "rejects any political action and unfair pressure that could lead to an escalation of tensions," said Araghchi shortly after sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program were reinstated.
Mahmoud Abbas to address UN summit online as US visa denied
The U.N. General Assembly has authorized Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to join next week's annual U.N. summit in New York via video link, during which several countries are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state.
The U.S. has refused or revoked visas for some 80 Palestinian members of the PA or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who were planning to attend the summit, including Abbas.
In a resolution adopted by 145 votes to five, with six abstentions, the General Assembly "regrets" the U.S. decision and calls for its reversal.
Health Ministry: One person killed in Israeli strike on Ansar
The Health Ministry has confirmed one fatality in the Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Ansar, Nabatieh district.
Iranian nuclear program: Sanctions against Tehran reinstated
The U.N. Security Council has given the green light to reinstate sanctions against Iran, with Paris, London and Berlin demanding firmer commitments on its nuclear program, according to AFP.
A text that would have maintained the lifting of sanctions decided in 2015 was rejected.
Qassem committed to fighting until "liberation of all our land"
Addressing the question of U.S. aid to the Lebanese Army, Naim Qassem said: "They only provide weapons to manage the internal situation, not to pose a threat to Israel. " "Let us unite to drive out Israel, undertake reconstruction, organize parliamentary elections and engage in dialogue in favor of the national defense strategy," he added. He also assured that the the party's fighters would continue to fight "until the end of Israel".
"We will accept nothing less than the liberation of all of our land, and our people remain committed to the weapons of 'the Resistance' because they have seen the benefits in the past."
"How can we lay down our arms during an ongoing genocide in Gaza under American cover?" he asked. "How can we lay down our arms when we have to liberate our land?"
He recalled that yesterday "five Lebanese villages were bombed with impunity, before the eyes of the world". "The Lebanese government is responsible for confronting these Israeli attacks; it must rise up and mobilize the Security Council," he said, before asking: "Why does it not question the Army about its plan to drive out the Israelis? "
"We are ready to assume our responsibilities with the Army, provided that it is against the Israeli enemy," he added.
He concluded his speech by saying: "They do not want to disarm us, but to sacrifice us and force us to surrender, without any American guarantee of Israeli restraint."
Naim Qassem: Region at a dangerous turning point
Naim Qassem asserted that "the entire region is facing a dangerous turning point," with the "expansionist Israeli entity reaching new heights of monstrosity with no restraint" due to American support.
"At one point, they had convinced the Arabs that Resistance is the foe while Israel is the friend, but after the strike on Qatar, it is clear that all countries in the region will be targeted, one after the other, until Israel achieves the expansion it desires," he argued.
"We must all face this danger and we must unite against this common enemy." "We must change the equation, make Israel the danger and not 'the Resistance,' and recognize that its threat is widespread across all Arabs and all communities," he concluded.
Naim Qassem calls for new chapter in relations with Saudi Arabia
In his speech, Naim Qassem called on "Saudi Arabia to turn a new page with 'the Resistance' and "freeze disputes during this exceptional period" in the face of the Israeli "enemy."
"We assure you that the weapons of 'the Resistance' are directed against Israel and not against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia or anyone else. Pressure on 'the Resistance' is a gift to Israel, and even in Palestine this resistance opposes Israeli expansionism," he added.
He went on to address the "Lebanese parties": "We are partners," he said, calling on them to come together to build Lebanon as one.
"The United States clearly states that it only makes room for Israeli interests, so how can we trust them?" he asked.
Israeli strike on Harouf, Nabatieh district. (Credit: photo received by our southern Lebanon correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah)
Israeli strike in Nabatieh district, no casualties reported
An Israeli drone carried out a strike in an uninhabited area in Harouf, Nabatieh district. Ambulances arrived to the scene, but no injuries were reported, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent.
Naim Qassem pays tribute to 'martyr' Ibrahim Aqil
In the first part of his speech, Naim Qassem paid tribute to Ibrahim Aqil: "Commander Ibrahim Aqil possessed two characteristics that earned him his position of enlightened leadership and led to his martyrdom. The first was his deep Islamic faith and erudition, the second was his jihad (fervor), driven by a clear goal: the liberation of Palestine."
Qassem said he would address the political situation in Lebanon and the region in the second part of his speech.
Naim Qassem Recalls Israel's killing of al-Radwan leadership
Naim Qassem recalls how "the Israeli enemy bombed a meeting center for the al-Radwan force commanders in the southern suburbs of Beirut" on Sept. 20, 2024, "killing eighteen commanders and around fifty civilian martyrs, including men, women and children".
"Four of them are still missing to this day," he adds.
Naim Qassem begins speech on one-year commemoration of Ibrahim Aqil's assassination
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem begins his speech commemorating the death of Ibrahim Aqil, head of the party's elite al-Radwan unit, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sept. 19, 2024, a year and a day ago today.
On that day, the Israeli army reported killing around "ten Hezbollah commanders" alongside him, signaling a marked escalation in the war. The assassinations took place almost two months after the killing of Fouad Shukr, the party's chief of staff.
Israel issued no warnings ahead of the strike, which killed a total of 52 people residing at the location where the Hezbollah leadership had gathered.
Iraq says senior Islamic State group leader killed in Syria
The Iraqi counterterrorism service said today that a senior Islamic State (IS) group leader was killed in a security operation in Syria, Reuters reports, which was carried out in coordination with the U.S.-led international coalition.
The commander, Omar Abdul Qader Bassam, known as "Abdul Rahman Al-Halabi," was the group's head of external operations and security, the service said.
He was accused of overseeing attacks in multiple countries, including the bombing of Iran's embassy in Lebanon, and planning other operations in Europe and the U.S. that were ultimately foiled through intelligence work, it added.
U.S. Central Command has carried out a series of strikes targeting IS figures in Syria. U.S. officials have warned the group is hoping to stage a comeback in the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Hezbollah hails Jordanian who killed Israeli soldiers as 'martyr'
In a statement, Hezbollah hailed the "martyrdom" of Jordanian Abdel Matlab Qaissi, who was shot dead by the Israeli army on the Jordanian-Israeli border after having himself "killed and wounded several enemy soldiers."
"The epic tale of this hero shows that the spirit of resistance and the will to liberate Palestine are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the region," the statement continued.
(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)
Shortly after the Tibnin strike and before Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech has begun, the Israeli army also struck Ansar in Nabatieh.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, a drone destroyed a tank truck carrying water and killed its occupant, Ammar Qosbaineh.
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Manar)
Hezbollah supporters await Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech.
The Massive British group Attack announced on Instagram that it refused to be broadcast in Israel because of the war in Gaza and that it wanted to leave the Spotify online music platform, due to its CEO's "investments" in an arms company.
"Massive Attack sent a formal request to our label [Universal Music Group] so that our music is withdrawn from all streaming services ... on the territory of Israel," said the group, very committed to the Palestinians, in a message published on Thursday.
(Credit: Screenshot of video relayed by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)
The smoke rising from the carcass of the vehicle affected by a drone shot recently in Tibnin, in the Bint Jbeil district.
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, the Israeli strike in Tibnin killed one person, Hussein Hassan Ramadan.
Iraq announces death of senior Islamic State leader in Syria
The Iraqi Anti-Terrorism Service announced on Friday that a senior Islamic State official had been killed during a security operation in Syria, conducted in coordination with the international coalition led by the United States, reports Reuters.
According to this service, quoted by the agency, commander Omar Abdel Qader Bassam, known as "Abdel Rahman al-Halabi," was the head of the group's external operations and security. He was accused of supervised attacks in several countries, including the Iranian Embassy attack in Lebanon, as well as having planned other operations in Europe and the United States, ultimately thwarted thanks to the intelligence work, he added.
The U.S. central command (CENTCOM) has led a series of strikes aimed at Islamic State officials in Syria. U.S. officials warned that the group hoped to return to the country following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
A car was affected by a strike from an Israeli drone at the entrance to Tibin Governmental Hospital, Bint Jbeil district.
The car caught fire, and the first assessment reports wounded, according to our correspondent in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized Tony Blair to rally regional and international actors around the former British prime minister's proposal to establish a post-war transitional authority to govern the Gaza Strip until it can be handed over to the Palestinian Authority, four sources close to the matter told The Times of Israel.
The former Labour Party prime minister, whose support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s proved politically costly for his party, began developing this proposal in the early months of the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, conceiving it as a post-war plan.
In recent months, this proposal has also evolved into a plan to end the war, with the Trump administration concluding that an agreement among key players on the entity that will replace Hamas in Gaza is essential to securing a permanent ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages, according to an American official and a second source familiar with the matter.
Japan does not intend to recognize a Palestinian state during the U.N. meetings scheduled this month, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Friday, according to Reuters.
He further clarified that for Tokyo, which supports the two-state solution, the issue is not whether to recognize a Palestinian state, but when to do so.
An Israeli drone dropped a sonic bomb over Yarin, in the Sour district, according to our correspondent.
Four protesters, including Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov, were arrested on Friday during a demonstration against the war on the Gaza border near Re'im, Haaretz reported. The protesters were carrying signs reading "Stop Zionist terrorism" and "Isolate Israel."
The Israeli army fired two illuminating shells from its territory, near the border, targeting the forest in the village of Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, in an apparent attempt to start fires, according to our correspondent in the region.
The Shiite cleric Ali Fadlallah expressed his disappointment with the international response following the Israeli airstrike in Qatar, the continued destructive offensive by the Israeli state against Gaza, and its ongoing aggression in southern Lebanon despite the cease-fire in effect since the end of November 2023, according to the National News Agency.
“Like all Arab and Muslim peoples, we hoped that these recent events would shake the world, prompting nations to take a stance commensurate with these dangers and send a strong message to this state and all its supporters … Unfortunately, the decisions taken were not commensurate with this provocative aggression, amounting only to statements of condemnation and disapproval, without any concrete action capable of deterring the Zionist enemy, thus confirming once again the weakness of the international community in the face of these challenges and giving the enemy the green light to continue its aggression,” the religious figure stated from his residence in Haret Hreik.
Gaza City offensive: Israeli army says will use 'unprecedented force,' urges residents to evacuate, closes one of two evacuation routes to the south
The Israeli army announced on Friday that it would continue to use “unprecedented force” and that it was closing one of the two evacuation routes connecting the city to the southern part of the enclave, as it had announced on Wednesday.
“As of now, Salah al-Din Road is closed for travel to the south … it is only possible to travel south via Al-Rashid Road,” the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, posted on X.
“For your safety, take this opportunity and join the hundreds of thousands of residents of the city who have already moved south to the humanitarian zone,” he wrote.
The Israeli army will continue its operations “with intense and unprecedented force against Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” he also warned.
Iran nuclear deal: Iran withdraws resolution condemning attacks on nuclear sites, citing US pressure
Iran decided at the last minute on Thursday evening to withdraw a resolution calling for a ban on all attacks against nuclear facilities, citing U.S. pressure, AFP reported.
Members of the IAEA told Iranian representatives that they were "under significant pressure and intimidation from the United States not to vote in favor of the resolution," Iranian Ambassador to Vienna, Reza Najafi, told AFP. According to him, these countries asked Iran to postpone the presentation of this resolution until the next conference.
The text included a paragraph that "strongly condemned the deliberate and illegal attacks carried out in June 2023" against Iran's nuclear facilities, adding that they constituted "flagrant violations of international law."
It also reaffirmed that "all states must refrain from attacking or threatening to attack peaceful nuclear facilities in other countries."
Fatal shooting at Allenby border crossing: Saar sees 'enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state''; Ben-Gvir calls for 'dismantling Palestinian Authority'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, commenting on his X account on Friday about Thursday's fatal shooting at the Allenby border crossing, stated that "despite its commitments, the Palestinian Authority is not fighting terrorism."
"This proves once again the enormous danger of establishing a 'Palestinian state,'" he wrote, adding that "if Israel does not maintain security control over Judea and Samaria [biblical names used in Israel to refer to the West Bank, the Palestinian territory occupied by the Israeli army since 1967], the entire State of Israel will be in danger."
For his part, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated on his X account that "if we don't dismantle the Palestinian Authority in time, we will wake up too late, as happened in Gaza." According to him, "The Palestinian Authority is a terrorist organization, which is training to carry out another Oct. 7 in Judea and Samaria, and which pays salaries to those who kill Jews."
Israel-Yemen: Israel Katz threatens Houthi leader with death, promises to fly Israeli flag 'in unified capital of Yemen'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened the Houthi leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, with death on Friday in a message posted in Hebrew on his X account. "Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, your time will come," he wrote. "You will be sent to join your entire government and all the corrupt members of the axis of evil who await you in the depths of hell," he added.
He then continued: "The slogan 'Death to Israel, curse upon the Jews' inscribed on the Houthi flag will be replaced by the blue and white Israeli flag, which will fly in the unified capital of Yemen."
Occupied West Bank: Over 75 Palestinians arrested in the past week, according to Israeli army
The Israeli army reportedly arrested 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, according to the Israeli military, as reported by Haaretz.
According to the army, "security forces seized weapons and conducted operations in several areas targeting suspects affiliated with Hamas, as well as others accused of promoting terrorist activities."
Furthermore, three Palestinians "suspected of manufacturing rockets" were arrested on Friday in the village of Kafr Ni'ma, near Ramallah, according to the Israeli army, as reported by Haaretz.
Major offensive on Gaza City: 480,000 residents reportedly fled south, according to the Israeli army
As the major offensive on Gaza City continues, approximately 480,000 Palestinians have reportedly fled south, according to new estimates from the Israeli army. On Wednesday morning, AFP reported that more than 350,000 people had fled the city, which had a population of approximately one million, according to the U.N., at the end of August.
The coastal road along the Gaza Strip was jammed on Thursday with people fleeing south, either on foot, by car, or on donkey-drawn carts, their belongings hastily packed, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
Fatal shooting at Allenby Bridge border crossing: Israel closes the only crossing point between the occupied West Bank and Jordan
Israel closed the only border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan on Friday, a day after an attack in which a driver transporting humanitarian aid from Jordan to Gaza opened fire, killing two Israeli soldiers, Reuters reported.
The Israel Airports Authority, which manages the Allenby Bridge crossing (the only route for more than three million Palestinians in the West Bank to travel to Jordan and, from there, to the rest of the world), announced that it would remain closed "until further notice."
The two other border crossings directly connecting Israel to Jordan were also affected: The Jordan River crossing in the north was closed, while the Rabin crossing in the south remains open only for workers, the agency reported.
“Israel’s airstrikes in southern Lebanon last night constitute violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 [2006] and jeopardize the fragile stability that has been established since November of last year. They also undermine civilian confidence that a non-violent solution to this conflict is possible,” UNIFIL stated in a press release.
“The peacekeepers continue to support both parties in the implementation of Resolution 1701. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the field every day, working to restore stability in the south and along the Blue Line. Peacekeepers at two positions in Deir Kifa, near Bourj Qalaway, took shelter for their safety. These airstrikes endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, U.N. peacekeepers and civilians,” the U.N. force added.
“We call on the Israeli Defense Forces to refrain from any further airstrikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. We also call on all parties to avoid any further violations or escalatory actions,” it further emphasized.
“We urge the parties to respect their obligations under Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreement. These mechanisms exist precisely to address concerns and prevent the unilateral use of force, and they must be fully utilized. Any further escalation jeopardizes the hard-won progress made by the parties to restore stability,” UNIFIL concluded.
Nuclear deal: Iran says it has made 'fair' proposal to prevent reinstatement of sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday in a statement on X that he had submitted a "fair and balanced" proposal to the European powers on the nuclear issue in order to prevent the reinstatement of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
"Iran is presenting a creative, fair, and balanced proposal that addresses legitimate concerns and is mutually beneficial," Araghchi wrote on X.
Following his meeting with the army commander-in-chief, President Joseph Aoun also discussed recent security developments in southern Lebanon with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Aoun is scheduled to travel to New York on Saturday to lead the Lebanese delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. to pay tribute to Commander Ibrahim Akil, who was killed along with other members of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut one year ago.
During a meeting in the Baabda Presidential Palace with the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Rodolph Haykal, President Joseph Aoun discussed the security situation in the country and the Israeli attacks that targeted several towns and villages in the south yesterday, as well as the results achieved by the army in the fight against drugs, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The Israeli army announced that, in coordination with the Shin Bet, it arrested more than 75 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during the past week, claiming, without providing any evidence, that they were involved in terrorist activities, according to Haaretz.
In the Bekaa Valley, since 6 a.m. this morning, Israeli drones have been overflying the towns of Janta, Yahfufa, Khreibeh, Nabi Sheet, Khodr, Sireen, Brital, Hawr Taqla, and Taybeh, according to our correspondent in the region.
In the suburbs of Beirut, the sound of a drone was also heard over the highway connecting the capital to the Bekaa Valley.
Gaza: In book, Pope declines to characterize war in Gaza as 'genocide'
The Vatican "cannot take a position" at this stage on whether the war waged by Israel in Gaza constitutes "genocide," Pope Francis stated in an interview conducted in July and published on Thursday, according to AFP.
"The word 'genocide' is being used more and more. Officially, the Holy See believes that we cannot take a position on this matter at the moment," the Pope said in a book published in Spanish in Peru, entitled "Francis, Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century."
"There is a very technical definition of what constitutes genocide, but more and more people are raising the issue, including two human rights groups in Israel," he added.
In the book, the Pope also expressed his concern that "no clear solution has been found to effectively alleviate the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza."
"This is true even of the United States, which is obviously the most important third party to exert pressure on Israel — despite the very clear statements from the U.S. government, and recently from President [Donald] Trump," he stated.
This morning, the Israeli army announced that it had intercepted two drones launched from Yemen on Thursday evening, two days after carrying out further airstrikes on the Hodeida Port.
In Rafah, at least four Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion on Thursday, according to the Israeli army.
As the Israeli army launched a ground assault in Gaza City this week, the United States once again blocked the U.N. Security Council from adopting a resolution on Thursday, demanding a cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. This move sparked outrage among member states, who refuse to abandon their efforts to influence the situation despite repeated U.S. vetoes.
"This is a dark moment for this Council," lamented Pakistani Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. "The world is watching. The cries of the children should pierce our hearts; the anguish of the mothers should shake our consciences," he added, vowing to "continue to act, to speak out."
"Forgive us because this Council could not save your children," Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama declared, addressing the people of Gaza. "Forgive us because the world speaks of rights but denies yours, Palestinians."
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to recognize a Palestinian state in an interview with an Israeli television channel, stating that it was "the best way to isolate Hamas." He also once again strongly condemned the offensive in Gaza, which, "completely destroys" Israel's "credibility."
In southern Lebanon, a fragile calm has returned after an unprecedented series of Israeli airstrikes that began on Thursday evening. Hezbollah continues to refuse to hand over its weapons, and the U.S. envoy, Morgan Ortagus, is expected in Beirut on Sunday to discuss the issue and try to prevent an escalation.
According to our correspondent in the region, Israeli drones dropped five explosive devices over the port of Naqoura in southern Lebanon between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. One of them exploded on the roof of a Lebanese Army intelligence center. A fisherman was also slightly injured, but did not require hospitalization.
Residents of several towns finally managed to sleep through the night, despite the constant buzzing of Israeli drones patrolling Lebanese airspace.
We are now launching our live coverage of the latest news from the Middle East.
Here, we will be following developments in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and other countries in the region affected by the conflicts that have been raging since Oct. 7, 2023.
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