Author: Steven Sahiounie

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell expressed regret on Friday, stating that no power, including the United States, seems capable of stopping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to a small group of journalists during the United Nations General Assembly, Borrell said, “What we are doing is applying all possible diplomatic pressure to achieve a ceasefire, but it appears that no one has the ability to stop Netanyahu—neither in Gaza nor in the occupied West Bank.” Borrell voiced support for the French-American initiative to establish a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon—a proposal that Israel ignored as it intensified strikes across…

Hezbollah has denied what it described as “false claims” by Israel regarding the presence of weapons caches in civilian buildings targeted by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs in the early hours of Saturday. In a statement distributed by its media office, Hezbollah stated, “There is no truth to the Zionist enemy’s false claims about the existence of weapons or weapons caches in the civilian buildings that were targeted by the bombing in the southern suburbs a short while ago.” The Israeli military announced that it conducted strikes early Saturday, targeting Hezbollah weapons storage sites located beneath residential buildings in…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented two maps of the Middle East on Friday during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, conspicuously omitting any reference to Gaza or the occupied West Bank. Speaking on the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, which raises fears of escalating into a full-scale war potentially involving other nations, Netanyahu used the maps to make his points. The first map illustrated a logistical bridge from India to Southern Europe via the Middle East, a concept he previously showcased last year. The second map depicted countries with Iranian influence in the region. Netanyahu contrasted the two…

Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated on Friday that Israel is “crossing Tehran’s red lines,” warning that “the situation has become dangerous.” This comment followed an Israeli attack targeting the central command of Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to a senior Israeli official, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was the intended target of the strike. In an interview with Iranian state television, Larijani emphasized, “Assassinations will not solve Israel’s problems,” noting that “other leaders” will replace those Hezbollah figures assassinated by Israel. Earlier, a senior Iranian security official told Reuters that Tehran is investigating…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday renewed his call for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah after Israel disregarded a ceasefire proposal co-authored by the United States and France. During a press conference concluding a week of diplomatic meetings at the United Nations, Blinken stated, “The choices that both sides make in the coming days will determine the path this region takes, with serious consequences for its people, both now and potentially for years to come.” He added, “The diplomatic path may seem difficult at this moment, but it exists, and in our view, it is necessary.”…

Cameras captured the exodus of residents from parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs late Friday night, following an Israeli military warning to evacuate the area. The Israeli army issued its first-ever call for residents to leave buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs since the escalation with Hezbollah began. The warning, shared in a post on the platform “X,” specifically targeted buildings in the Lailaki and Hadath neighborhoods. Following the evacuation notice, an Israeli military spokesperson announced that the army would launch airstrikes on buildings in the southern suburbs, which are allegedly used by Hezbollah to store weapons. In the early hours of…

Late Friday, the Israeli military issued a warning that it may target Beirut Airport as tensions with the Lebanese group Hezbollah continue to escalate. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari cautioned that the army “will not allow the transfer of any weapons to Hezbollah,” including those transported through Beirut International Airport. Hagari stated, “We will not permit the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah by any means. We are aware of Iranian arms being smuggled to Hezbollah, and we will work to thwart these efforts.” He added that Israeli Air Force planes are currently patrolling the area around Beirut Airport. “So far,…

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen announced on Friday that NATO will establish a new land command headquarters in Finland, near the Russian border, next year. This command will be responsible for leading NATO’s ground forces operations in Northern Europe in the event of a military conflict. Finland joined NATO last year. Häkkänen, following up on a previous announcement made in June, stated, “This morning, I decided that we will propose to NATO the establishment of this command in conjunction with the Army Command in Mikkeli.” The new headquarters will operate under NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, based in the United…

The Israel Broadcasting Authority reported on Friday that 17 people were injured as Israelis rushed to bomb shelters following air raid sirens in Tel Aviv. According to Israeli media, some of the injuries were moderate, occurring as people scrambled to reach shelters after a missile was intercepted over Tel Aviv. Earlier on Friday morning, the Israeli military announced it had successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen towards Israel. The military issued a series of statements confirming that the sirens in various central Israeli locations were triggered by a missile launched from Yemen. They also confirmed that the missile was…

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged the United States to pressure Israel into accepting a 21-day ceasefire plan in Lebanon, warning that an Israeli invasion would be a grave mistake. Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz rejected a joint French-American proposal for a 21-day truce. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the military to continue fighting with full force. Macron emphasized the need for clear and committed communication from all partners, stating, “Israel cannot invade Lebanon today. War in Lebanon would be a significant mistake and a major risk of escalation.” During a press conference in…