Raouche Rock illuminated with images of Nasrallah and Safieddine | LIVE

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Madrid: Gaza flotilla poses no threat to Israel

The Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, en route to Gaza and escorted by a Spanish military vessel, "poses no threat to anyone, including Israel," Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Reuters.

He said Spain had accepted Belgium's request to provide assistance to its nationals on board the flotilla, if necessary, and that Madrid was also in talks with Ireland on the matter.

"The mission's mandate is very clear. We have had many incidents with this flotilla, and this ship is there to assist the Spanish, and now also the Belgians, and we are talking to other European colleagues to see if we can do the same," he explained.

He added that the aid flotilla's mandate was also clear: "This is a peaceful humanitarian flotilla... which poses no threat to anyone, including Israel."

Massoud Pezeshkian: Iran is prepared for any scenario but hopes that UN sanctions will not be reinstated

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was fully prepared to deal with any scenario and would adapt its policies if U.N. sanctions were reinstated.

He expressed hope that such a measure would not be adopted, Iranian state media reported. The comments were made during a meeting with the president of Bolivia on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Reuters reported.

The Court of Cassation has asked security services to summon the individuals who illuminated the Raouche Rock in Beirut, al-Marakiya reports, citing sources.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounces commemorative projection on Beirut's Raouche Rocks

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounces Hezbollah's illuminating of the Raouche Rocks as a "violation" of the ban on using public spaces without prior authorization and calls for the "arrest" of those responsible.

Salam reacted to the projection onto the Raouche Rocks with the images of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, commemorating the first anniversary of their assassination. In a message on his X account, he denounced "a flagrant violation of the agreement given by Beirut's governor to the organizers of the gathering," recalling that the authorization granted clearly stipulated: "It is strictly forbidden to illuminate the Raouche Rock, whether from land, sea or air, and to project images onto it."

"Consequently, I have contacted the ministers of the interior, justice and defense to ask them to take appropriate measures, including the arrest of those responsible and their referral to the courts so that they may be punished in accordance with the laws in force," the prime minister added.

Salam also stressed that "this reprehensible behavior will not deter us from our decision to rebuild a state based on law and institutions; on the contrary, it strengthens our determination to fulfill this national duty."

Screenshot taken by Al Manar

The Raouche Rock was illuminated with images of slain Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. The projections took place despite the ban on unauthorized projections on public spaces, issued the previous day by governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud.

Photo credit: Muntasser Abdallah

Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine mural unveiled in Saida

In Saida, Hezbollah held a ceremony to unveil a large mural of its two killed leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the south reported.

It was attended by MP Ali Fayyad, Lebanese parties, and Palestinian factions, as well as Lebanese and Palestinian scholars and religious figures.

Palestinian flags, Lebanese flags, and Hezbollah flags were raised. The sons of the former Secretary-General Abbas al-Moussawi and Hassan Nasrallah participated in the ceremony.

Attendees sung along to the Lebanese national anthem followed by the anthems of Palestine and Hezbollah. Fayyad delivered a speech in which he said: “This man amazed the world with his strength, and our goals, capabilities, and rights are non-negotiable.”

The curtain was unveiled to reveal the mural amidst chants of “Labbayk Nasrallah” (At your service, Nasrallah).

Screenshot taken from Al-Manar

Boats belonging to members and supporters of Hezbollah sail towards Beirut's coast, joining by sea the crowds gathered at the Raouche Rocks.

Netanyahu lands in New York ahead of UN address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has landed in New York, where he is expected to speak before the U.N. General Assembly, Haaretz reported.

Israeli strikes on Sanaa: Houthis report two dead and 48 wounded

The Houthi militant group has announced that an Israeli air strike targeting the Yemeni capital Sanaa, which they control, killed at least two civilians and wounded 48, reports AFP.

Israeli "brutality" "has claimed several civilian victims," said Houthi Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Anees Alasbahi, reporting a provisional toll of "two martyrs and 48 wounded."

Abbas pleads for the plight of the Palestinian people, rejects Hamas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a passionate plea to the U.N. on Thursday via video link, after having been denied a visa to the U.S. alongside some 80 Palestinian dignitaries.

He appealed on behalf of the Palestinian people, calling them victims of Israeli "crimes," while unequivocally asserting that Hamas would have no role in the future governance of a potential Palestinian state.

Israel to reopen Allenby crossing between West Bank and Jordan on Friday

Israel will reopen the main border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan to travelers on Friday, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.

"The Allenby crossing will be open only for travelers starting tomorrow morning and will operate according to the terminal's usual schedule," said the spokesperson for the Israeli Airport Authority after a similar announcement by the president of the Palestinian Crossings Authority.

The border crossing is scheduled to open for travelers on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (5:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. GMT), according to the Jordanian General Security Directorate, which did not specify anything about the transport of goods.

What you need to know about Israel closing the Allenby crossing at the West Bank border: here.

Insults thrown as protestors express anger at government

"You can keep your rock, anyways you'll soon be hiding there," shouts a woman from the crowd, addressing Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun. Originally from Kafra (Bint Jbeil), she now lives in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Numerous insults are hurled at the prime minister. Hezbollah had planned to illuminate the Raouche Rocks with images of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, but Salam issued a circular on Monday banning the use of public spaces and heritage sites without prior authorization.

Read more on this story here.

Photo credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today

Wafic Safa, head of Hezbollah's liaison unit, is present at the commemorative march at the Raouche Rocks. He was the target of an Israeli assassination attempt on Oct. 10, 2024, in Beirut.

The banner reads: For disarmament, call the number 1701. حلم or dream. (Photo credit: Caroline Hayek/L'Orient Today)

"I came to show that resistance is first and foremost human. We are here, and if you want to take our weapons away, you will first have to take us away one by one," says a 22-year-old journalism student.

Photo credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today

Commemoration of Nasrallah and Safieddine: Live from our journalists on the ground

A man holds a framed photo of Hassan Nasrallah in one hand, and his Lebanese identity card alongside a fake one bearing the name of the late Hezbollah leader, in the other: "We gave martyrs! What have you done for this country? " he cries out, directing his ire to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

In the crowd, the slogan "Zionist, Zionist, Samir Geagea Zionist" is chanted in unison. Among those present, one man has a tattoo on his neck with the date "09.27.2024," the day of Hassan Nasrallah's assassination.

Hezbollah supporters gather at the Raouche Rocks to commemorate the killing of Nasrallah one year ago today (Photo sent by local resident to L'Orient Today)

Thousands of Hezbollah supporters gather at the Raouche Rocks in Beirut

"Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah] was a symbol for all Muslims, and the only one defending Gaza," an Egyptian man told L'Orient-Le Jour.

"I promise you that we do not discriminate based on religion, but the state is pushing us into a corner. We have no choice if we want to exist," added a Lebanese man in his forties, after chanting "Shiaa, Shiaa" [Shiites, Shiites].

Slovenia bans Netanyahu

Slovenia has imposed a travel ban on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move that follows a ban against two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers in July, according to a government statement cited by Reuters.

Slovenia, an EU member state which last year recognized a Palestinian state, imposed an arms embargo on Israel in August and introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel killed more than 80 people in the last 24 hours in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 83 bodies of Palestinians were brought to hospitals across Gaza over the past 24 hours along with 216 wounded, Al Jazeera reports.

This brings the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 65,427 and 167,376 others wounded. Since Israel broke the cease-fire with Hamas on March 18, at least 12,939 people have been killed and 55,335 wounded.

Over the past day, seven aid-seekers have been killed and 50 wounded, bringing the total to 2,538 Palestinians killed and 18,581 wounded while searching for food .

Hezbollah supporters wave a flag with the picture of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah at Raouche. (Credit: Mohammed Yassin/L'Orient Today)

Hezbollah supporters gather to commemorate one year since Nasrallah's killing

Supporters of Hezbollah have begun gathering near Beirut’s iconic Raouche Rock to mark the anniversary of the assassination of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and to honor his presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine.

The event, which includes plans to project images of the late leader Nasrallah and his cousin Safieddine onto the landmark at 6 p.m., has drawn sharp political backlash.

Critics have condemned the move as a "symbol of the group’s growing isolation" and a "disconnect from national sentiment," highlighting the deepening divisions within Lebanon's political and social landscape.

Read also:

Hezbollah's al-Manar says Raouche Rock to be lit up, despite governor's ban

Flotilla learns Israel intends to escalate its attacks within next 48 hours

The Gaza-bound aid flotilla says it has received “credible intelligence” that “Israel is likely to escalate violent attacks on the flotilla within the next 48 hours” – potentially with weapons that could scuttle boats or cause fatalities.

In a press release, the group said it will soon hold a press conference to provide updates on the latest threats and the flotilla’s “plan forward.”

It repeated “urgent calls for governments and international bodies to intervene and guarantee the flotilla’s safe passage as it works to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”

Tel Aviv car explosion update

The car explosion in Tel Aviv has been identified as a criminal incident by Israeli police, Reuters reports, leading to the closure of part of La Guardia Street to traffic. No further details were given.

Flotilla rejects offer from Italy to drop aid in Cyprus

The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza has said that it rejects a proposal from the Italian government to drop the aid being carried by the flotilla for Gaza in Cyprus instead, saying its aim is specifically to break Israel's illegal siege of the territory, Reuters reports.

Israeli media reports car explosion in Tel Aviv with injuries

Israel's Channel 12 is reporting that a car exploded in Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, and the channel did not provide further details, according to Reuters.

Palestinians feeling Israeli aggression move with their belongings southwards on a road in the Nuseirat refugee camp area in the central Gaza Strip on Sept. 20, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)

Israel bombed Gaza over 170 times on Wednesday

The Israeli Air Force bombed over 170 sites in the Gaza Strip yesterday, the army said in an announcement cited by Times of Israel, as troops advance further in Gaza City amid a deadly operation that received staunch opposition from within Israel's own military.

According to the army statement, at least four divisions are operating in Gaza City, where Al Jazeera reported that at least 50 people were killed yesterday. Part of Israel's operation to seize the city, the largest in the Palestinian territory, involved forcing nearly one million people from the large urban center and leveling dozens of apartment buildings.

Bjork pulls her music from Israeli streaming services

Iconic Icelandic singer Björk has removed most of her prolific catalog of music from Spotify and Apple Music in Israel over the weekend, blocking access on two of the biggest music streaming platforms in the country, Israeli media reports.

While Björk hasn't issued a statement yet, the move comes as part of a new initiative called No Music For Genocide, which urges musicians and record labels to join a cultural boycott of Israel over its onslaught on Gaza. Björk's music remains available on Bandcamp and YouTube.

The campaign's organizers are protesting what they describe as "Israel's genocide in Gaza," arguing that while culture "cannot stop bombs, it can change public opinion and help resist the normalization of states committing crimes against humanity.

Netanyahu's flight takes the long route to New York

The path of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to New York, where he will attend the U.N. General Assembly, avoids the airspace of all countries except Italy and Greece, despite the longer journey this entails, Times of Israel reports.

The trajectory, visible on Flight Tracker, may be an effort to avoid problems related to the International Criminal Court’s warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in his war on Gaza.

Many countries have said that pursuant to the ICC arrest, they would arrest Netanyahu if he were present on their soil.

Israeli army announces soldier killed in Gaza City

An Israeli army soldier was killed in a Hamas sniper attack in Gaza City yesterday, according to a military statement made this morning.

Twenty-one-year-old Staff Sgt. Chalachew Shimon Demalash, of the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, from Beersheba, was reportedly manning a guard post at an army encampment when he came under sniper fire.

According to Times of Israel, 471 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began. In Israel, around 50 Israeli reservists have committed suicide since the war began.

Iran says it has documents linked to Israel's nuclear program

Iranian state television broadcast images of documents and footage yesterday which it said relate to Israel's nuclear activities, AFP reports.

The documentary showed copies of passports said to identify Israeli scientists, along with information on the location of military sites. Israel assassinated several Iranian scientists in its 12 day war on the country.

It also aired footage said to have been filmed inside the Dimona reactor in southern Israel, which is widely believed to possess the Middle East's sole, if undeclared, nuclear arsenal. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its possession of nuclear weapons.

In the documentary, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said Iran had used information obtained in June to hit sensitive sites inside Israel that month.

Iranian officials previously said before the war, they had acquired thousands of classified Israeli documents, including details on nuclear and military sites.

Mahmoud Abbas to address the UN via video link after being denied a visa by the US

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the U.N. via video link today, having been denied a visa to the U.S. by the Trump administration. The US has refused to grant visas to some 80 Palestinians who planned to attend the U.N. General Assembly, including the 89-year-old Palestinian Authority leader.

Several U.S. allies, including France the U.K., who this week announced their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, have tried unsuccessfully to convince Washington to reconsider its visa ban on Abbas.

The Palestinian Authority, which is widely distrusted among Palestinians, who see it as close to Israel, has been accused by the U.S. of refusing to “repudiate terrorism” and “judicial guerrilla campaigns” against Israel before international institutions.

Hundreds protested Netanyahu has he boarded flight to New York

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Ben-Gurion Airport last night as Netanyahu boarded his flight to the U.S., Haaretz reports. Protesters voiced opposition to the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet, criticized the ongoing war, and demanded the return of hostages.

Police deployed in large numbers at the airport entrance, blocking the crowd, which included former hostages and hostages' families. Netanyahu's government has faced steadily increasing opposition from the public, which is showing up in growing numbers on the streets to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Italy and Spain to send navy ships to protect Gaza freedom flotilla

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last night that he will join Italy in sending a military warship to protect an the global freedom flotilla currently en route to Gaza where it will attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver much needed aid, Reuters reports.

The fleet of 50-odd ships with citizens from 45 different countries was attacked by drones off the coast of Greece yesterday and is being threatened by Israeli officials.

"The government of Spain insists that international law be respected and that the right of our citizens should be respected to sail through the Mediterranean in safe conditions," Sanchez told a press conference in New York, where he has been attending the U.N. General Assembly.

"Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it was necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation."

Italy announced this morning it would be sending a second navy ship to join the first, for the flotilla's protection.

Netanyahu heads to New York for his speech at the UN and a meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left early this morning for the U.S., where he is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, Haaretz reports.

Ahead of his departure, Netanyahu said he and Trump would discuss “the need to complete the goals of the war – to bring back all our hostages, to defeat Hamas and to expand the circle of peace that has presented itself to us following the historic victory” of Israel's 12-day war against Iran.

As for his U.N. speech, Netanyahu said he plans “to denounce the leaders who, instead of condemning the murderers, want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”

Several major Western countries announced their recognition of Palestinian statehood earlier this week, including Canada, France, the U.K. and Australia, to which Israeli officials responded with calls for the full annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of events in the region, notably Israel's relentless onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza and its deadly operation to seize Gaza City. On the other side of the ocean, world leaders are gathered in New York for the 80th U.N. General Assembly, and Palestine is top of the agenda.

Read our Morning Brief to catch up on yesterday's news and prepare yourself for today's. 👈

Thank you for following our live coverage. We'll be back tomorrow morning.

Madrid: Gaza flotilla poses no threat to Israel

The Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, en route to Gaza and escorted by a Spanish military vessel, "poses no threat to anyone, including Israel," Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Reuters.

He said Spain had accepted Belgium's request to provide assistance to its nationals on board the flotilla, if necessary, and that Madrid was also in talks with Ireland on the matter.

"The mission's mandate is very clear. We have had many incidents with this flotilla, and this ship is there to assist the Spanish, and now also the Belgians, and we are talking to other European colleagues to see if we can do the same," he explained.

He added that the aid flotilla's mandate was also clear: "This is a peaceful humanitarian flotilla... which poses no threat to anyone, including Israel."

Massoud Pezeshkian: Iran is prepared for any scenario but hopes that UN sanctions will not be reinstated

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was fully prepared to deal with any scenario and would adapt its policies if U.N. sanctions were reinstated.

He expressed hope that such a measure would not be adopted, Iranian state media reported. The comments were made during a meeting with the president of Bolivia on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Reuters reported.

The Court of Cassation has asked security services to summon the individuals who illuminated the Raouche Rock in Beirut, al-Marakiya reports, citing sources.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounces commemorative projection on Beirut's Raouche Rocks

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounces Hezbollah's illuminating of the Raouche Rocks as a "violation" of the ban on using public spaces without prior authorization and calls for the "arrest" of those responsible.

Salam reacted to the projection onto the Raouche Rocks with the images of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, commemorating the first anniversary of their assassination. In a message on his X account, he denounced "a flagrant violation of the agreement given by Beirut's governor to the organizers of the gathering," recalling that the authorization granted clearly stipulated: "It is strictly forbidden to illuminate the Raouche Rock, whether from land, sea or air, and to project images onto it."

"Consequently, I have contacted the ministers of the interior, justice and defense to ask them to take appropriate measures, including the arrest of those responsible and their referral to the courts so that they may be punished in accordance with the laws in force," the prime minister added.

Salam also stressed that "this reprehensible behavior will not deter us from our decision to rebuild a state based on law and institutions; on the contrary, it strengthens our determination to fulfill this national duty."

Screenshot taken by Al Manar

The Raouche Rock was illuminated with images of slain Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. The projections took place despite the ban on unauthorized projections on public spaces, issued the previous day by governor of Beirut, Marwan Abboud.

Photo credit: Muntasser Abdallah

Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine mural unveiled in Saida

In Saida, Hezbollah held a ceremony to unveil a large mural of its two killed leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the south reported.

It was attended by MP Ali Fayyad, Lebanese parties, and Palestinian factions, as well as Lebanese and Palestinian scholars and religious figures.

Palestinian flags, Lebanese flags, and Hezbollah flags were raised. The sons of the former Secretary-General Abbas al-Moussawi and Hassan Nasrallah participated in the ceremony.

Attendees sung along to the Lebanese national anthem followed by the anthems of Palestine and Hezbollah. Fayyad delivered a speech in which he said: “This man amazed the world with his strength, and our goals, capabilities, and rights are non-negotiable.”

The curtain was unveiled to reveal the mural amidst chants of “Labbayk Nasrallah” (At your service, Nasrallah).

Screenshot taken from Al-Manar

Boats belonging to members and supporters of Hezbollah sail towards Beirut's coast, joining by sea the crowds gathered at the Raouche Rocks.

Netanyahu lands in New York ahead of UN address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has landed in New York, where he is expected to speak before the U.N. General Assembly, Haaretz reported.

Israeli strikes on Sanaa: Houthis report two dead and 48 wounded

The Houthi militant group has announced that an Israeli air strike targeting the Yemeni capital Sanaa, which they control, killed at least two civilians and wounded 48, reports AFP.

Israeli "brutality" "has claimed several civilian victims," said Houthi Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Anees Alasbahi, reporting a provisional toll of "two martyrs and 48 wounded."

Abbas pleads for the plight of the Palestinian people, rejects Hamas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a passionate plea to the U.N. on Thursday via video link, after having been denied a visa to the U.S. alongside some 80 Palestinian dignitaries.

He appealed on behalf of the Palestinian people, calling them victims of Israeli "crimes," while unequivocally asserting that Hamas would have no role in the future governance of a potential Palestinian state.

Israel to reopen Allenby crossing between West Bank and Jordan on Friday

Israel will reopen the main border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan to travelers on Friday, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.

"The Allenby crossing will be open only for travelers starting tomorrow morning and will operate according to the terminal's usual schedule," said the spokesperson for the Israeli Airport Authority after a similar announcement by the president of the Palestinian Crossings Authority.

The border crossing is scheduled to open for travelers on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (5:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. GMT), according to the Jordanian General Security Directorate, which did not specify anything about the transport of goods.

What you need to know about Israel closing the Allenby crossing at the West Bank border: here.

Insults thrown as protestors express anger at government

"You can keep your rock, anyways you'll soon be hiding there," shouts a woman from the crowd, addressing Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun. Originally from Kafra (Bint Jbeil), she now lives in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Numerous insults are hurled at the prime minister. Hezbollah had planned to illuminate the Raouche Rocks with images of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, but Salam issued a circular on Monday banning the use of public spaces and heritage sites without prior authorization.

Read more on this story here.

Photo credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today

Wafic Safa, head of Hezbollah's liaison unit, is present at the commemorative march at the Raouche Rocks. He was the target of an Israeli assassination attempt on Oct. 10, 2024, in Beirut.

The banner reads: For disarmament, call the number 1701. حلم or dream. (Photo credit: Caroline Hayek/L'Orient Today)

"I came to show that resistance is first and foremost human. We are here, and if you want to take our weapons away, you will first have to take us away one by one," says a 22-year-old journalism student.

Photo credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today

Commemoration of Nasrallah and Safieddine: Live from our journalists on the ground

A man holds a framed photo of Hassan Nasrallah in one hand, and his Lebanese identity card alongside a fake one bearing the name of the late Hezbollah leader, in the other: "We gave martyrs! What have you done for this country? " he cries out, directing his ire to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

In the crowd, the slogan "Zionist, Zionist, Samir Geagea Zionist" is chanted in unison. Among those present, one man has a tattoo on his neck with the date "09.27.2024," the day of Hassan Nasrallah's assassination.

Hezbollah supporters gather at the Raouche Rocks to commemorate the killing of Nasrallah one year ago today (Photo sent by local resident to L'Orient Today)

Thousands of Hezbollah supporters gather at the Raouche Rocks in Beirut

"Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah] was a symbol for all Muslims, and the only one defending Gaza," an Egyptian man told L'Orient-Le Jour.

"I promise you that we do not discriminate based on religion, but the state is pushing us into a corner. We have no choice if we want to exist," added a Lebanese man in his forties, after chanting "Shiaa, Shiaa" [Shiites, Shiites].

Slovenia bans Netanyahu

Slovenia has imposed a travel ban on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move that follows a ban against two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers in July, according to a government statement cited by Reuters.

Slovenia, an EU member state which last year recognized a Palestinian state, imposed an arms embargo on Israel in August and introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel killed more than 80 people in the last 24 hours in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 83 bodies of Palestinians were brought to hospitals across Gaza over the past 24 hours along with 216 wounded, Al Jazeera reports.

This brings the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 65,427 and 167,376 others wounded. Since Israel broke the cease-fire with Hamas on March 18, at least 12,939 people have been killed and 55,335 wounded.

Over the past day, seven aid-seekers have been killed and 50 wounded, bringing the total to 2,538 Palestinians killed and 18,581 wounded while searching for food .

Hezbollah supporters wave a flag with the picture of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah at Raouche. (Credit: Mohammed Yassin/L'Orient Today)

Hezbollah supporters gather to commemorate one year since Nasrallah's killing

Supporters of Hezbollah have begun gathering near Beirut’s iconic Raouche Rock to mark the anniversary of the assassination of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and to honor his presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine.

The event, which includes plans to project images of the late leader Nasrallah and his cousin Safieddine onto the landmark at 6 p.m., has drawn sharp political backlash.

Critics have condemned the move as a "symbol of the group’s growing isolation" and a "disconnect from national sentiment," highlighting the deepening divisions within Lebanon's political and social landscape.

Read also:

Hezbollah's al-Manar says Raouche Rock to be lit up, despite governor's ban

Flotilla learns Israel intends to escalate its attacks within next 48 hours

The Gaza-bound aid flotilla says it has received “credible intelligence” that “Israel is likely to escalate violent attacks on the flotilla within the next 48 hours” – potentially with weapons that could scuttle boats or cause fatalities.

In a press release, the group said it will soon hold a press conference to provide updates on the latest threats and the flotilla’s “plan forward.”

It repeated “urgent calls for governments and international bodies to intervene and guarantee the flotilla’s safe passage as it works to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”

Tel Aviv car explosion update

The car explosion in Tel Aviv has been identified as a criminal incident by Israeli police, Reuters reports, leading to the closure of part of La Guardia Street to traffic. No further details were given.

Flotilla rejects offer from Italy to drop aid in Cyprus

The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza has said that it rejects a proposal from the Italian government to drop the aid being carried by the flotilla for Gaza in Cyprus instead, saying its aim is specifically to break Israel's illegal siege of the territory, Reuters reports.

Israeli media reports car explosion in Tel Aviv with injuries

Israel's Channel 12 is reporting that a car exploded in Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, and the channel did not provide further details, according to Reuters.

Palestinians feeling Israeli aggression move with their belongings southwards on a road in the Nuseirat refugee camp area in the central Gaza Strip on Sept. 20, 2025. (Credit: Eyad Baba/AFP)

Israel bombed Gaza over 170 times on Wednesday

The Israeli Air Force bombed over 170 sites in the Gaza Strip yesterday, the army said in an announcement cited by Times of Israel, as troops advance further in Gaza City amid a deadly operation that received staunch opposition from within Israel's own military.

According to the army statement, at least four divisions are operating in Gaza City, where Al Jazeera reported that at least 50 people were killed yesterday. Part of Israel's operation to seize the city, the largest in the Palestinian territory, involved forcing nearly one million people from the large urban center and leveling dozens of apartment buildings.

Bjork pulls her music from Israeli streaming services

Iconic Icelandic singer Björk has removed most of her prolific catalog of music from Spotify and Apple Music in Israel over the weekend, blocking access on two of the biggest music streaming platforms in the country, Israeli media reports.

While Björk hasn't issued a statement yet, the move comes as part of a new initiative called No Music For Genocide, which urges musicians and record labels to join a cultural boycott of Israel over its onslaught on Gaza. Björk's music remains available on Bandcamp and YouTube.

The campaign's organizers are protesting what they describe as "Israel's genocide in Gaza," arguing that while culture "cannot stop bombs, it can change public opinion and help resist the normalization of states committing crimes against humanity.

Netanyahu's flight takes the long route to New York

The path of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to New York, where he will attend the U.N. General Assembly, avoids the airspace of all countries except Italy and Greece, despite the longer journey this entails, Times of Israel reports.

The trajectory, visible on Flight Tracker, may be an effort to avoid problems related to the International Criminal Court’s warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in his war on Gaza.

Many countries have said that pursuant to the ICC arrest, they would arrest Netanyahu if he were present on their soil.

Israeli army announces soldier killed in Gaza City

An Israeli army soldier was killed in a Hamas sniper attack in Gaza City yesterday, according to a military statement made this morning.

Twenty-one-year-old Staff Sgt. Chalachew Shimon Demalash, of the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, from Beersheba, was reportedly manning a guard post at an army encampment when he came under sniper fire.

According to Times of Israel, 471 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began. In Israel, around 50 Israeli reservists have committed suicide since the war began.

Iran says it has documents linked to Israel's nuclear program

Iranian state television broadcast images of documents and footage yesterday which it said relate to Israel's nuclear activities, AFP reports.

The documentary showed copies of passports said to identify Israeli scientists, along with information on the location of military sites. Israel assassinated several Iranian scientists in its 12 day war on the country.

It also aired footage said to have been filmed inside the Dimona reactor in southern Israel, which is widely believed to possess the Middle East's sole, if undeclared, nuclear arsenal. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its possession of nuclear weapons.

In the documentary, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said Iran had used information obtained in June to hit sensitive sites inside Israel that month.

Iranian officials previously said before the war, they had acquired thousands of classified Israeli documents, including details on nuclear and military sites.

Mahmoud Abbas to address the UN via video link after being denied a visa by the US

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the U.N. via video link today, having been denied a visa to the U.S. by the Trump administration. The US has refused to grant visas to some 80 Palestinians who planned to attend the U.N. General Assembly, including the 89-year-old Palestinian Authority leader.

Several U.S. allies, including France the U.K., who this week announced their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, have tried unsuccessfully to convince Washington to reconsider its visa ban on Abbas.

The Palestinian Authority, which is widely distrusted among Palestinians, who see it as close to Israel, has been accused by the U.S. of refusing to “repudiate terrorism” and “judicial guerrilla campaigns” against Israel before international institutions.

Hundreds protested Netanyahu has he boarded flight to New York

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Ben-Gurion Airport last night as Netanyahu boarded his flight to the U.S., Haaretz reports. Protesters voiced opposition to the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet, criticized the ongoing war, and demanded the return of hostages.

Police deployed in large numbers at the airport entrance, blocking the crowd, which included former hostages and hostages' families. Netanyahu's government has faced steadily increasing opposition from the public, which is showing up in growing numbers on the streets to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Italy and Spain to send navy ships to protect Gaza freedom flotilla

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last night that he will join Italy in sending a military warship to protect an the global freedom flotilla currently en route to Gaza where it will attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver much needed aid, Reuters reports.

The fleet of 50-odd ships with citizens from 45 different countries was attacked by drones off the coast of Greece yesterday and is being threatened by Israeli officials.

"The government of Spain insists that international law be respected and that the right of our citizens should be respected to sail through the Mediterranean in safe conditions," Sanchez told a press conference in New York, where he has been attending the U.N. General Assembly.

"Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it was necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation."

Italy announced this morning it would be sending a second navy ship to join the first, for the flotilla's protection.

Netanyahu heads to New York for his speech at the UN and a meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left early this morning for the U.S., where he is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, Haaretz reports.

Ahead of his departure, Netanyahu said he and Trump would discuss “the need to complete the goals of the war – to bring back all our hostages, to defeat Hamas and to expand the circle of peace that has presented itself to us following the historic victory” of Israel's 12-day war against Iran.

As for his U.N. speech, Netanyahu said he plans “to denounce the leaders who, instead of condemning the murderers, want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”

Several major Western countries announced their recognition of Palestinian statehood earlier this week, including Canada, France, the U.K. and Australia, to which Israeli officials responded with calls for the full annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of events in the region, notably Israel's relentless onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza and its deadly operation to seize Gaza City. On the other side of the ocean, world leaders are gathered in New York for the 80th U.N. General Assembly, and Palestine is top of the agenda.

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