Netanyahu’s office announces death of 5 ‘senior Hamas figures’ in Gaza | LIVE

Netanyahu’s office announces death of 5 ‘senior Hamas figures’ in Gaza

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the army had killed five “senior Hamas members” in Gaza, where Israel carried out deadly strikes, claiming they were in response to a new violation of the cease-fire by the Palestinian Islamist movement, AFP reports.

“Today, Hamas again violated the cease-fire by sending a terrorist into territory controlled by Israel to attack soldiers. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists,” Netanyahu’s office said, urging “mediators to insist that Hamas uphold its commitments under the cease-fire.”

Gaza Strip: Civil Defense reports new toll of at least 21 dead after Israeli strikes

Gaza’s Civil Defense, operating under Hamas authority, told AFP that at least 21 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory, where Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the fragile truce.

The Israeli army, for its part, said it had “begun striking Hamas terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip,” in response, it said, to an attack by an “armed terrorist” against its soldiers in the southern territory, whom it claimed to have killed.

Hamas condemns new electoral law promulgated by Mahmoud Abbas

Hamas condemned the new electoral law issued by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, saying it effectively requires municipal candidates to pledge to respect the “political program of the PLO,” which amounts to recognizing Israel.

In a statement, Hamas said the law constitutes “a dangerous infringement on citizens’ right to freely choose their representatives” and an explicit attempt to exclude influential Islamic and independent political forces active in major West Bank cities.

It added that the legislation aims to reshape the political landscape in favor of specific factions within the Palestinian Authority, aligning with “Israeli and U.S. pressures.”

The law, according to Hamas, would push the West Bank further toward “fragmentation and submission to the demands of the occupation,” rather than strengthening local councils that reflect the will of the people.

Gaza Strip: Civil Defense reports new toll of 7 dead after Israeli strikes

Gaza’s Civil Defense announced a new toll of seven dead in Israeli strikes on the central and northern parts of the Palestinian territory, where Israel and Hamas have been accusing each other since midweek of violating the fragile truce, AFP reports.

The spokesperson for this first-aid organization operating under Hamas authority, Mahmoud Bassal, reported three people killed in Gaza City (north), three in Deir al-Balah (central), and one in the Nousseirat area (central).

Almost simultaneously, the Israeli army released a statement claiming to have killed a “armed terrorist” today in the south of the Palestinian territory, who, according to the army, had fired toward its soldiers and crossed a line marking its positions.

Israeli drone drops a stun bomb over Maroun al-Ras

An Israeli drone dropped a stun bomb over Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil district), our correspondent in the South reports.

One killed in Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Wadi Nahleh

An Israeli drone fired at a vehicle in Wadi Nahleh, between the localities of Shaqra and Majdal Selm (Bint Jbeil district), our correspondent reports, noting that ambulances are heading to the scene of the strike.

Gaza: Civil Defense reports three dead in Israeli strike on Gaza City

The Gaza Strip’s Civil Defense announced on Saturday that an Israeli strike killed three people in Gaza City, in the north of the Palestinian territory, where the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel has appeared increasingly fragile since midweek.

“Three martyrs and several wounded were recovered after an occupation strike targeted a civilian car near the al-Abbas junction in the al-Rimal neighborhood, in western Gaza City,” said Mahmoud Bassal, the spokesperson for this first-aid organization operating under Hamas authority.

Israeli army says it targeted Hezbollah missile launchers and military sites in the Bekaa and southern Lebanon

The Israeli army announced that it attacked Hezbollah missile launchers and military sites in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

“In another strike in the Bekaa region, the Israeli army targeted two Hezbollah military sites where terrorist activity was detected, in addition to weapons depots and other military buildings,” wrote the Arabic-speaking army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X.

“The presence of missile platforms and military activity at the targeted sites constitutes a violation of the agreements between Israel and Lebanon,” he added, noting that “the Israeli army will continue to act to eliminate any threat against the State of Israel.”

15 missiles in 10 Israeli strikes target southern Lebanon; no injuries reported so far

This afternoon, in just half an hour, the Israeli air force launched 15 missiles in 10 strikes on southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the south.

While no injuries have been reported so far, the affected villages include Mahmoudieh, Tilal Jarmaq, and Mount Rafi on the heights of Tilal Sojod, as well as the Jabbour hills, all in the Jezzine district.

Agricultural fields near Kfar Hamam, in the Hasbaya district, were also bombed.

Israeli strikes on Shmustar reportedly caused injuries, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa, Sarah Abdallah.

New series of Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon

A new series of Israeli strikes targeted Tilal Sojod, the Aqmata Valley, and Tilal Jarmaq in the Jezzine district, according to our correspondent in the region.

Israeli warplanes also bombed the Bayader area on the heights of Kfar Hamam (Hasbaya) for the first time since the cease-fire.

Israeli strike targets Jabal al-Rihan

An Israeli strike targeted Jabal al-Rihan, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

“The Lebanese Army may not be doing enough to disarm Hezbollah,” according to a U.S. official

Speaking to Hadath TV, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that “the Lebanese Army is conducting operations to disarm Hezbollah, but it does not have significant capabilities.”

“Perhaps the Lebanese Army is not doing enough to disarm Hezbollah,” he added. He also noted that “what is happening in Lebanon contributes to the strengthening of Hezbollah” and stated that Hezbollah “is receiving more weapons from Iran.”

The U.S. official further remarked that “Washington is facilitating communications between Lebanon and Israel,” and concluded: “We are following up with the Lebanese Army regarding information sharing for the disarmament of Hezbollah.”

Photo provided by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah

Israeli strike on Tilal al-Jabbour in the Jezzine district

Israeli warplanes carried out a raid on Tilal al-Jabbour in the Jezzine district, according to our correspondent.

Israeli strike on Mahmoudieh

An Israeli strike targeted Mahmoudieh, in the Jezzine district, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Photo provided by our correspondent in the Bekaa, Sarah Abdallah

Israeli strike on the jurds of Shmustar

An Israeli strike targeted the jurds of Shmustar, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa.

Israeli drone found in the Marjayoun district

An Israeli drone that had previously crashed was found in an agricultural field near the main Taybeh-Qantara road (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

“Who decides Lebanon’s future, its state or those who bear arms?” wonders the Israeli army

The Israeli army commented on Lebanon’s Independence Day on X, asking, “Who decides Lebanon’s future, its state or those who bear arms?”

“The men of independence won their freedom with their own hands, defying the French mandate, to transform Lebanon into an Eastern paradise, a symbol of art and culture, freedom, and creativity. The Lebanon of which the Lebanese are proud, as the song by Assi al-Hellani says. But today, under Hezbollah’s control, Lebanon has become a battlefield, dominated by those who possess weapons and terrorism,” the Israeli army’s Arabic-speaking spokesperson emphasized on X.

It also asked the Lebanese what kind of Lebanon they want. “Which Lebanon do you want? Yesterday’s Lebanon — radiant, free, creative… or today’s Lebanon — besieged and powerless? The choice is yours,” the statement added.

For the occasion, the spokesperson shared a cartoon, depicting Hezbollah as the country’s sovereign. “If independence lacks sovereignty, then who will decide Lebanon’s future: the state or those who wield arms against it?” Adraee wrote on X. The cartoon shows a man holding a flag reading “Happy Independence Day,” while a Hezbollah militant stands beside him, saying: “Who is independent when we are here?”

Hezbollah claims the death of one of its fighters

Hezbollah has announced the death of one of its fighters, Kassem Rida Karbanach.

According to our correspondent, the victim was killed in this morning’s strike on a vehicle between Nabatieh Fawqa and Zawtar Sharqieh.

Israeli fire injures a Palestinian in northern Gaza

Israeli forces shot and wounded a Palestinian near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency and al-Jazeera journalists.

This attack follows artillery fire in the Tuffah and Shujaya neighborhoods in Gaza City, according to Wafa.

UN records 29 settler attacks in the West Bank in one week

The UN has recorded 29 attacks carried out by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

These attacks occurred between Nov. 11 and 17, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters, according to the Associated Press.

This surge highlights the escalation of violence in the occupied territories. In October, the UN stated that the number of attacks recorded in a single month was the highest since it began keeping records in the mid-2000s.

These attacks left 11 people injured and damaged 10 houses, two mosques, and nearly 20 vehicles, Dujarric said. Crops, livestock, and about 1,000 trees were also destroyed.

Israeli forces have killed more than 200 Palestinians in the West Bank this year, including 50 children, Dujarric added.

Series of Israeli attacks in northern, central and southern Gaza

A series of Israeli attacks in northern, central and southern Gaza were observed this morning.

In the south, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and tank fire east of Rafah, as well as additional airstrikes and artillery fire near Khan Younis, al-Jazeera journalists report.

In central Gaza, artillery fire hit the eastern part of Deir al-Balah. In Gaza City, artillery and tank fire also struck the Tuffah neighborhood, our colleagues added, without mentioning casualties.

Zohran Mamdani confronts Trump over “US funding of genocide in Gaza”

Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York, who gained global attention during his campaign for his strong stance against Israel’s war in Gaza, directly accused the United States of funding a genocide during a meeting with President Donald Trump, according to al-Jazeera.

“I spoke about the genocide committed by the Israeli government and about our government’s funding of this genocide,” Mamdani told reporters, adding that Trump voters he met were “tired of seeing our taxes fund endless wars.”

Asked about the US president’s efforts for peace in the Middle East, Mamdani said he “appreciates all efforts for peace,” emphasizing the need to “respect international human rights.”

“And I know that even today, these are being violated,” he concluded.

Over 200 shelters for displaced people in Gaza threatened by severe winter floods, says UN

According to the UN’s latest humanitarian assessment, more than 200 makeshift shelters hosting hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are threatened by severe flooding this winter, reports al-Jazeera.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories reported that 214 active sites are particularly at risk due to their location and poor conditions.

Israel claims to have killed a Hezbollah member in Froun, in the Bint Jbeil district

The Israeli army said it killed a Hezbollah member on Friday in a strike on Froun, in southern Lebanon, accusing him of having carried out attacks against Israel.

Last night, an Israeli army drone targeted a vehicle at the entrance to Froun, in the Bint Jbeil district.

“Yesterday [Friday], during a targeted strike, the Israeli army eliminated a Hezbollah terrorist in the Froun area, in southern Lebanon,” the army said in a statement. “Throughout the war, this terrorist carried out attacks against the State of Israel and Israeli troops,” it continued, adding: “the activities of this terrorist constituted a violation of the agreements between Israel and Lebanon.”

Hezbollah claimed the death of one of its fighters, Ahmad Mohammad Ramadan, last night.

One dead in Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon

An Israeli drone targeted a car shortly after 8 a.m. between the villages of Nabatieh Fawqa and Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh) in southern Lebanon, killing its driver.

According to our correspondent, the victim was Kamel Karnabech.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of news in the Middle East.

We will be following the situation in Lebanon, whose South is being bombed almost daily by Israel despite the truce in effect since late November 2024 with Hezbollah. We will also cover developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, in Syria, and in other countries of the region.