Israel destroyed over 1,500 buildings in Israeli-occupied areas of Gaza since cease-fire | LIVE

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⚡Torture of Palestinian detainees in Israel highlighted before the UN*

Israel was called into question on Tuesday and Wednesday before the U.N. Committee Against Torture, which reported numerous accounts of acts of torture against Palestinian detainees, particularly since Oct. 7, 2023, according to AFP.

"The Committee was deeply appalled by the descriptions ... of what appear to be systematic and widespread acts of torture and ill-treatment inflicted on Palestinians," said rapporteur Peter Vedel Kessing on Tuesday at the start of Israel's review before the Committee in Geneva.

"In all the numerous reports we have received from various reliable sources ... it is stated that torture has become a deliberate and widespread tool ... from arrest to interrogation to imprisonment," he continued.

Among the forms of torture noted in these reports cited by the Committee are "severe beatings, including to the genitals, electric shocks, forced prolonged stress positions, deliberately inhumane conditions of detention and deprivation of food, waterboarding, as well as widespread sexual insults and threats of rape."

These reports, which come from various United Nations bodies, Israeli, Palestinian,and international NGOs, mention that the mistreatment of Palestinians has "escalated sharply" since Oct. 7, 2023, reaching "unprecedented levels" and with "complete impunity," Kessing continued.

Sudden Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army fired five artillery shells west of the village of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), between the village and Mhaibib, according to our correspondent.

Shortly after, Israeli military vehicles were reported moving from the Israeli position in Bayad Blida.

Israeli artillery also targeted the Wadi al-Jamal area, between Houla and Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun). Several shells were also fired near the Tire basin, on the outskirts of Houla. According to our correspondent, Israel has fired a total of eleven shells so far.

Israel fires flares and artillery in areas of southern Lebanon

Israeli forces fired a number of illumination flares from the occupied Abad position opposite the town of Houla, which lit the sky above Wadi Hunin near the towns of Odaisseh and Markaba (Marjayoun), our correspondent in the south reported.

They also fired artillery shells targeting the western outskirts of the town Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun).

Suspected Hamas member arrested by German authorities

A suspected Hamas member was arrested Tuesday evening by German authorities, a month and a half after the arrest of three other suspected members suspected of acquiring weapons to carry out attacks, reports AFP.

The man, born in Lebanon and identified as Borhan al-K., was arrested by German police on a highway as he entered the country from the Czech Republic, according to a statement from the German Federal Prosecutor's Office, responsible for counter-terrorism.

The man then allegedly had the weapons transported to Berlin to supply them to Wael F. M., one of three men arrested in early October in the German capital.

Hamas has denied any connection with them.

WHO: Over 16,500 Palestinians in Gaza require urgent medical treatment abroad

The World Health Organization (WHO) says over 16,500 people, including nearly 4,000 children, are still waiting to be evacuated from Gaza for urgent medical treatment as hospitals across the enclave remain severely damaged and unable to provide adequate care.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency’s medical evacuation programme has helped transfer nearly 8,000 patients for treatment outside Gaza over the past two years.

He called for the reopening of all evacuation routes, particularly to the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, adding that the WHO is working to scale up medical evacuations as a fragile ceasefire still holds.

IAEA urges Iran to allow nuclear material inspections 'as soon as possible'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Iran to allow it to verify its nuclear material inventories “as soon as possible,” particularly its stocks of highly enriched uranium, according to a confidential report obtained by AFP on Wednesday.

The agency noted that it has lost continuity of knowledge regarding previously declared inventories since the 12-day war triggered on June 13 by an Israeli attack on Iran, and stressed that it is “crucial” to be able to verify these inventories as soon as possible to allay its concerns.

White House denies approval of US military base near Gaza

Following reports that the U.S. military is exploring plans to set up a temporary base for 10,000 personnel near the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to form a multinational stabilization force to monitor the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, the White House has clarified that no such decision has been approved, Bloomberg reported.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said the administration has not approved the establishment of any temporary military base near Gaza.

According to Bloomberg, documents show the U.S. Navy recently requested cost estimates from several qualified contractors for a “self-sufficient temporary military operations base” that could house 10,000 people and provide 10,000 square feet of office space for up to 12 months. The request was reportedly sent to pre-approved firms on Oct. 31.

Over 1,500 buildings destroyed in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza since cease-fire

More than 1,500 buildings have been destroyed in areas of Gaza under Israeli control since the ceasefire with Hamas began on Oct. 10, according to satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify.

The latest imagery, taken on Nov. 8, shows that entire neighborhoods within the Israeli army held zones have been leveled in less than a month, apparently through demolitions.

BBC Verify noted the actual number could be higher, as satellite data for some areas was unavailable.

Several experts told the BBC the demolitions may breach the U.S.-brokered cease-fire, which suspended “all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment.”

An Israeli army spokesperson said, however, that Israel was acting “in accordance with the ceasefire framework.”

The cease-fire is part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, under which he has repeatedly declared that “the war is over.”

Shin Bet Chief Zini urges High Court to reject petitions challenging his appointment

Israel’s Shin Bet chief David Zini has asked the High Court to dismiss petitions filed against his appointment, arguing that they undermine Israel’s democratic and Jewish values, Haaretz reported Wednesday.

Zini said the court has no grounds to intervene, as his appointment was lawful and procedurally sound.

In their response to the court, Zini’s attorneys wrote that the petitions “lack any factual basis” and rely solely on “false media reports, rumors and gossip.”

Israeli parliament approves tax break for settlers in occupied West Bank

A bill aimed at increasing tax benefits for Israeli settlers living in so-called “high-risk” settlements in the occupied West Bank was approved in its first reading by the Israeli parliament, with a majority of 57 votes in favor and 28 against, Haaretz reported.

These tax benefits will be granted to West Bank settlements classified as having a “security risk level between 2 and 5,” according to assessments by the Israeli Defense Ministry and the army. Residents will thus receive an additional 25 percent income tax credit on their earnings.

Trump sends letter to Herzog calling on him to 'fully pardon Netanyahu,' Ben-Gvir praises the letter

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a letter signed by U.S. President Donald Trump calling on him to "fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu," Haaretz reported.

In the letter, Trump says that "Netanyahu has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace," according to Haaretz.

Trump called Netanyahu's criminal trial "a political, unjustified prosecution," adding, "It is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all."

Far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed Trump's letter, saying that the "disgraceful indictments against Prime Minister Netanyahu have long since become an indictment against the prosecution itself, whose carelessness and crimes are revealed in court every day," Haaretz reported.

Ben-Gvir added: "President Herzog, listen to President Trump!"

In a post on X, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote, "Reminder: Israeli law stipulates that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse."

New Israeli strikes target northern Gaza

The Israeli army carried out a series of artillery strikes east of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to local Al Jazeera correspondents.

An Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb on the Ras Naqoura port in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.

Israeli drones are flying at low altitude over the Baalbek and Hermel regions in northern Bekaa, reports our correspondent Sarah Abdallah.

Katz announces imminent closure of Israeli army radio, saying it 'harms the war effort'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he has ordered the upcoming closure of the Israeli army radio, which must stop broadcasting by March 1, 2026, according to Israeli media.

“What was will no longer be. Army Radio was created by the Israeli government as a military station to give soldiers and their families a voice, not as a platform for opinions, many of which criticize the army and its soldiers,” Katz said, accusing the station of “harming the war effort and troop morale.”

He also stated that he will submit the proposal to the government for approval in the near future.

Israel reopens Zikim Crossing for Gaza aid

Israel reopened the Zikim Crossing in northern Gaza on Wednesday to allow humanitarian aid trucks in, according to COGAT, the military body managing aid flows.

The crossing had been closed since Sept. 12, leaving northern Gaza — already hit hard after last month’s Israel-Hamas cease-fire — short on supplies, Reuters reports.

Aid will be delivered by the U.N. and international organizations after security inspections by Israel’s Land Crossings Authority. U.N. agencies had been calling for the reopening to help famine-stricken northern Gaza.

Israeli fighter jets carried out three airstrikes in northeastern Beit Lahia, Gaza inside the “yellow line” zone in northern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera correspondents.

Despite a month-long cease-fire, Israeli airstrikes continue almost daily in the Palestinian enclave.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that three more people were killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since the start of the Israeli offensive on Oct. 7, 2023, to at least 69,182.

Herzog condemns ‘shocking and serious’ settler violence in the occupied West Bank

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned violent incidents in northern West Bank, calling them “shocking and serious.”

“The handful of violent and dangerous people responsible for tonight’s events in Samaria have crossed a red line,” Herzog wrote on X.

“Such violence against civilians and Israeli soldiers is intolerable, and I strongly condemn it.”

This follows an incident in which dozens of masked settlers attacked an industrial area in Bet Lid, injuring at least four Palestinians.

The Israeli army and police said they had arrested several settlers following violent clashes near Tulkarem, during which Palestinians were injured and property was destroyed.

The army stated that troops were deployed after “masked Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and set property on fire,” adding that security forces used riot-control measures and detained several Israeli civilians.

Main story this mornig

In an interview with The Washington Post, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that Damascus and Tel Aviv are engaged in direct negotiations and have made significant progress toward reaching an agreement.

“But to reach a final agreement, Israel must withdraw to its borders as of Dec. 8,” he said — referring to the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, which was overthrown by the Islamist rebel coalition from which Sharrah emerged.

The Syrian president said Washington and several international actors support Syria’s stance and accused Israel of “expansionist ambitions”, claiming over 1,000 airstrikes had been carried out on Syrian territory since December 8.

“We want to rebuild Syria, so we have not responded to these aggressions,” he added.

Sharrah emphasized Syria’s sovereignty:

“This is Syrian land, and Syria must be free to dispose of its own territory. Israel occupied the Golan Heights to protect itself; now it imposes conditions in southern Syria to protect the Golan. At this rate, in a few years, they’ll reach Munich,” he said, referencing the Munich Agreement of WWII, where Britain and France allowed Nazi Germany to annex part of Czechoslovakia.

He also claimed that Donald Trump “supports our view” and “will do everything to reach a quick solution.”

These comments came after Sharaa’s historic meeting with President Trump at the White House on Monday, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to the U.S. since Syria’s independence nearly 80 years ago.

Welcome to our live coverage of developments in the Middle East.

We’ll be following the situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south and the Bekaa Valley, which continue to be targeted by Israeli airstrikes despite a cease-fire that came into effect nearly a year ago.

We’ll also cover the latest in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, and other parts of the region.

Catch up on everything you missed yesterday and what to look out for today by reading our👉 Morning Brief