UAE announces withdrawal of remaining forces from Yemen | LIVE

West Bank: Israel says it killed man who drove at soldiers

The Israeli army said it shot and killed a man who tried to run over a group of soldiers with his vehicle in the northern occupied West Bank, AFP reports.

"A report was received concerning a terrorist who attempted to run over IDF soldiers operating in the Einabus area," the army said in a statement. "In response, the soldiers shot and killed the terrorist."

The statement did not provide further details about the incident, which occurred a few days after a Palestinian man ran over an Israeli man in his 60s with his vehicle and then stabbed to death an 18-year-old woman in the occupied territory.

He was also killed in the attack.

Following this incident on Friday, the army conducted a two-day operation in the West Bank town of Qabatiya, where the assailant was from, arresting several of its residents, including his father and brothers.

South Lebanon: Artillery fire on outskirts of Yaroun

The Israeli army fired five artillery shells on the outskirts of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil district), reported our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Syria: 21 people linked to former regime arrested after sectarian violence

Syrian authorities have arrested 21 people linked to the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal region of Latakia (West), state television announced, a day after violence targeting the Alawite community, a Muslim community regularly targeted in this multi-ethnic country, AFP reports.

These suspects, "belonging to the remnants of the old regime, are involved in criminal acts, incitement to sectarian violence, and attacks targeting internal security forces," according to the channel.

Authorities imposed a curfew in the city of Latakia on Tuesday following the attacks.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza remains 'catastrophic': Statement by 10 countries including France, UK

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains "catastrophic," warned the foreign ministers of 10 countries, including France and the United Kingdom, expressing particular concern about the "severe food insecurity" faced by "a majority" of the population.

In total, "1.3 million people still urgently need shelter," wrote the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in a joint statement, according to AFP.

With "more than half of the health facilities only partially functioning," they called on Israeli authorities to "guarantee unimpeded access to humanitarian aid."

Israel threatens to suspend international NGO access to Gaza

Israel announced that NGOs working in Gaza that have not submitted a list of their Palestinian employees by Wednesday will no longer be able to operate there in 2026, accusing two Doctors Without Borders [MSF] members of "links to terrorist organizations," AFP reports.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, organizations that have "refused to submit a list of their Palestinian employees, in order to rule out any link with terrorism ... will have their licenses revoked as of Jan. 1."

The organizations concerned "must cease all activity by March 1, 2026."

Clarifying that only 15 percent of NGOs are targeted, the Ministry added that "acts of delegitimizing Israel, legal proceedings against Israeli soldiers, Holocaust denial, and denial of the events of Oct. 7 constitute grounds for license withdrawal."

The text also states that "certain international organizations have been involved in terrorist activities."

Joumblatt: 'New king of Israel got everything he wanted; region will experience more turbulence'

In the wake of a meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt wrote on X that “it appears, confirming the reality of U.S.-Israeli relations at all levels, that the new ‘king of Israel ’ [referring to the Israeli Prime Minister] got everything he wanted.”

During the meeting held on Monday in Florida between Trump and Netanyahu, the issue of Hezbollah was discussed. The U.S. president stated that “the Lebanese government is, in a way, in a weak position vis-à-vis Hezbollah. But Hezbollah has behaved badly, so we will see what happens.”

“The Arab and Middle Eastern region will thus experience more turbulence.” “Therefore, internal unity must take precedence over all other considerations, and the exclusive right to bear arms cannot be subject to any debate,” Joumblatt continued.

Erdogan says Israel's recognition of Somaliland is 'illegitimate, unacceptable'

Israel's recognition of Somaliland is "illegitimate and unacceptable," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during a joint press conference with his Somali counterpart, who was visiting Istanbul, according to AFP.

"Preserving the unity and integrity of Somalia under all circumstances is of paramount importance to us. Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable," he added.

UAE announced Tuesday withdrawal of remaining forces from Yemen

"The Ministry of Defense announces the end of the counter-terrorism teams still present in Yemen," it said in a statement, adding that Abu Dhabi had made this decision "on its own initiative, ensuring the safety of its personnel and in coordination with relevant partners."

Yemeni separatists rejected calls from Saudi-led coalition to withdraw

"There is no question of withdrawing. It is unreasonable to ask the owner of a piece of land to leave. The situation demands that we stay and strengthen our position," Anwar Al-Tamimi, spokesperson for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist movement active in southern Yemen, told AFP.

"We are on the defensive, and any movement toward our forces will be met with a response," he added.

According to him, Saudi Arabia has deployed approximately 20,000 security forces along its border, near STC positions.

In recent weeks, the separatists, backed by the United Arab Emirates and determined to re-establish the former independent state of South Yemen, have made significant territorial gains in a lightning offensive.

According to experts, these successes have embarrassed Saudi Arabia, the main supporter of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Riyadh denounced a “threat” to the kingdom’s national security on Tuesday, after conducting airstrikes against a suspected arms shipment at a port controlled by the separatists.

Like Abu Dhabi, however, the spokesperson for the Southern Transitional Council (STC) denied that the targeted military equipment belonged to them. “The vehicles belonged to Emirati forces present in Yemen as part of the Arab coalition and the anti-terrorist alliance,” he stated.

Israeli fire targeted Rashaya, Kfar Shuba, in Hasbaya

Israeli artillery fire targeted the outskirts of Rashaya and Kfar Shuba (both located in the Hasbaya district), our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.

Israel rejects criticizm after recognizing Somaliland

Israel defended its decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, arguing that no one could question its foreign policy and noting that many countries recognize a Palestinian state, AFP reports.

"Other countries are allowed to recognize a state that does not exist. Israel has no right to recognize a true state," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared on X. "No one will decide for Israel with whom it can maintain diplomatic relations."

Israel announced on Friday the official recognition of Somaliland, a first for this self-proclaimed republic that seceded from Somalia in 1991. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from the African Union, Egypt, and the European Union, among others, which defend the sovereignty of Somalia, ravaged by civil war and terrorism.

Disarmament in Ain al-Hilweh: Lebanese Army confirms receiving 'various types of weapons and ammunition'

The Lebanese Army confirmed in the afternoon that it had recovered weapons from the Palestinian camp in Ain al-Hilweh, without specifying the quantity or type of weapons handed over.

In its statement, the army said it had "taken possession of a certain quantity of Palestinian weapons" from the large camp near Saida, "in coordination with the relevant Palestinian authorities.

"This operation involved various types of military-grade weapons and ammunition," it added, stressing that these weapons would be "inspected and processed in accordance with current procedures."

South Lebanon: Israeli army uses machine gun and artillery fire

The Israeli army fired machine guns at farms in Bastara, south of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), and launched five artillery shells between Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), according to information from our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The UAE denies fuelling the conflict in Yemen, following accusations by Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates denied "fueling the conflict in Yemen" after being accused by Saudi Arabia of supporting the Yemeni separatist offensive and threatening the stability of the kingdom.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates expresses its total rejection of allegations that [Abu Dhabi] is fueling the conflict in Yemen," it said in a statement, stressing that the cargo destroyed in Saudi strikes did not contain Emirati weapons.

Read more on this unfolding story here.

Meeting between the US Ambassador and the Lebanese Minister of Defense following Trump-Netanyahu meeting

Lebanese Minister of Defense Michel Menassa welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa at his office in Yarzeh.

During the meeting, Issa reaffirmed "his country's commitment to continuing its support for the Lebanese state and its institutions, particularly the military," following a meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu during which the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament was discussed.

For his part, Menassa thanked the United States for "its continued support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Army.

Regarding the situation in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese Army continues to deploy and dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure, Menassa stressed "the importance of the role of the Cease-fire Monitoring Committee in supporting stability and strengthening coordination, which enables the Lebanese Army to carry out its missions."

During Monday's meeting in Florida between Trump and Netanyahu, the issue of Hezbollah was raised, with the former stating that "the Lebanese government is, in a way, in a weak position vis-à-vis Hezbollah. But Hezbollah has behaved badly, so we'll see what happens."

South Lebanon: Israeli machine gun fire reported in the outskirts of Khiam

Israeli sweeping gunfire from its newly established position on the Hamames hills, south of Khiam (Marjayoun), targeting the surroundings of the hill, our correspondent in the south reported.

Curfew imposed in Latakia, on the Syrian coast, following violence against Alawites

The Syrian authorities have imposed a curfew in the coastal city of Latakia after renewed violence in neighborhoods with a majority Alawite population, a Muslim community that is regularly targeted in this multi-ethnic country.

"A curfew will be in effect from Tuesday at 5 p.m. (2 p.m. GMT) until Wednesday at 6 a.m. (3 a.m. GMT)," the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Fifth shipment of heavy weapons belonging to the PLO handed over to Lebanese Army in Ain al-Hilweh

The Palestinian National Security Forces have completed the handover to the Lebanese Army of a fifth shipment of heavy weapons belonging to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the Ain al-Hilweh camp, confirmed Abdelhadi al-Assadi, director of public relations and media for the Palestinian National Security Forces in Lebanon, in a statement.

Assadi confirmed that this move comes "in accordance with the joint presidential statement issued by President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on 21 May 2025, as well as the conclusions of the joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee responsible for monitoring the situation in the camps and improving living conditions there."

The handover of weapons began this morning. Read more on this story here.

Saudi Arabia calls on the United Arab Emirates to withdraw its forces from Yemen

Saudi Arabia has called on the United Arab Emirates to withdraw its forces from Yemen and cease all support to Yemeni parties, following a similar call from the Yemeni authorities.

"The Kingdom stresses the importance for the United Arab Emirates to respond to the Republic of Yemen's request to withdraw its military forces from Yemeni territory within 24 hours and to cease all military or financial support to any party in Yemen," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, apparently referring to the separatists.

Riyadh says UAE actions in Yemen are 'extremely dangerous'

Saudi Arabia has described the United Arab Emirates' support for separatists in Yemen as a 'threat' to the kingdom and the region, after accusing Abu Dhabi of supplying them with weapons.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret that the Emirates had "encouraged" the separatists to carry out military operations on "the southern border of the kingdom ... posing a threat to the security" of Saudi Arabia and the region, adding that "the measures taken by the brotherly State of the United Arab Emirates are extremely dangerous."

The Riyadh-led coalition says it targeted weapons delivered from the Emirates to Yemeni separatists

The Saudi-led coalition announced this morning that it had targeted shipments of weapons and vehicles in Yemen from the United Arab Emirates destined for separatists, who have taken over large parts of the country in recent weeks.

The coalition warned on Saturday that it would support the Yemeni government and respond to any military action by the separatists, calling on them to withdraw "peacefully" from the recently conquered provinces.

"Due to the risks and escalation posed by these weapons, which threaten security and stability, the coalition air force carried out a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles that had been unloaded from two ships in the port of al-Mukalla," reported the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Israeli settlers attack village near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank

Witnesses quoted by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claim that Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the Bedouin community of Mukhmas, near Ramallah, late at night.

Two people were evacuated from the scene by the Red Crescent for medical treatment after the settlers threw stones at a building, sprayed tear gas in the area and beat at least one person with sticks.

According to an activist quoted by Haaretz, the attack lasted about ten minutes.

Fatah hands over weapons to the Lebanese Army in Ain al-Hilweh

The Palestinian group Fatah in Saida'snAin al-Hilweh camp has begun handing over heavy weapons to the Lebanese Army, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The operation is taking place in the area known as Jabal al-Halib, a point of separation between the Palestinian national security checkpoint and that of the Lebanese Army.

According to a Palestinian security source quoted by L'Orient-Le Jour, a shipment equivalent to the load of five lorries is to be handed over to the army during the day. It includes cannons, missiles, rocket launchers and shells.

This is the second operation of its kind in Ain al-Hilweh and the fifth in Lebanon since mid-September.

In early August, the government committed to regaining a monopoly on weapons, notably by disarming Hezbollah and the Palestinian refugee camps.

With this latest handover of weapons in Ain al-Hilweh, Fatah will have handed over its entire heavy arsenal to the Lebanese state, according to our correspondent. Other factions, led by Hamas, are refusing to hand over their weapons.

According to the aforementioned source, Tuesday's operation is being carried out on the instructions of the authorities in Ramallah.

When asked about the handover of other types of weapons, the source emphasized that they were "carrying out the decisions taken by the political leadership" of the Palestinian Authority.

In Florida, Trump and Netanyahu pronounce threats against Hamas and Iran

During their meeting yesterday in Florida, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front against Iran and any attempts at rearmament, as well as against Hamas, which the U.S. president threatened in the event of non-compliance with the second phase of the truce in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump, however, remained evasive on the issue of Hezbollah, simply stating: "We'll see what happens."

The meeting was presented as decisive for Netanyahu to obtain U.S. approval for a military escalation in Lebanon, against the backdrop of Hezbollah's refusal to disarm in the face of continued Israeli occupation and attacks.

Boeing awarded contract worth over $8 billion for F-15s destined for Israel

Following Monday evening's meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Pentagon announced that Boeing had been awarded an $8.6 billion contract for F-15 fighter jets for Israel, the U.S. Department of Defense said yesterday evening in a statement quoted by Reuters.

"This contract provides for the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force, with an option for 25 additional F-15IAs," the Pentagon said.

According to the Pentagon, the contract is part of Foreign Military Sales to Israel. The United States has long been by far the main supplier of arms to Israel.

Work related to the contract will be carried out in St. Louis and is expected to be completed by 31 Dec. 2035, the Pentagon added in a statement.

Hello and welcome to our live blog.

We will be following events taking place across the region, from Lebanon and Gaza, to the occupied Palestinian territories, Syria, Yemen and beyond.

We will be taking a particularly close look at Israel's continued cease-fire violations in Lebanon and Gaza.