Israel-Lebanon Latest: UK Joins Calls For 21-Day Ceasefire As Israel Launches Dozens Of Fresh Strikes On Lebanon
Moment of explosion in Lebanon as Hezbollah radio devices detonate
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The UK has joined the US, France and other allies in calling for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah – but strikes on targets in Lebanon by the Israel Defense Forces have continued overnight.
The IDF announced on Thursday morning that it had targeted Hezbollah weapons depots, rocket launchers, military buildings and infrastructure in 75 attacks in Bekaa and southern Lebanon.
Following the airstrikes, smoke could be seen rising above southern Lebanon this morning.
It came after attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday when at least 72 people were killed, according to the Lebanese health ministry statement.
Meanwhile, a joint statement from 12 Western allies, including the UK and US, has been issued calling for a ceasefire in bid to create space for broader negotiations and prevent a larger conflict.
It read said: “It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes. The exchange of fire since 7 October, and in particular over the past two weeks, threatens a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians.”
The proposed agreement would not affect the war in Gaza.
1727339400Lebanese PM expresses hope for a ceasefireLebanese prime minister Najib Mikati has expressed hope that a ceasefire could be reached soon to end fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah that has shaken his country and raised fears of a ground invasion.
The US, France and several allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday.
Mikati welcomed the call for a truce but said the key to its implementation is whether Israel, which has been moving troops closer to Lebanon, is committed to enforcing international resolutions.
Asked if a ceasefire could be secured soon, Mikati told Reuters: “Hopefully, yes.”
Alex Ross26 September 2024 09:30
1727338500Scotland’s First Minister says a binding ceasefire across the Middle East is ‘essential’Scotland’s First Minister has said the situation in the Middle East is cause for the “deepest concern” as he called for a binding ceasefire in the region.
UK citizens are being urged to leave Lebanon after Israel launched an intense series of air strikes earlier this week.
The UK has joined the US, France and other allies in calling for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, warning the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah is “intolerable”.
Writing on X, John Swinney said: “The worsening situation in the Middle East is a cause of the deepest concern.
“It is essential that there is a binding ceasefire now to end the suffering in Gaza and to act to avoid escalating conflict in Lebanon.”
John Swinney has called for a ceasefire (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Wire)Alex Ross26 September 2024 09:15
1727337617ICYMI: Israel gears up for Lebanon ground invasion after another day of heavy strikesIsrael is preparing for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon, army chiefs said on Wednesday, as US president Joe Biden admitted “all-out war” is possible and Sir Keir Starmer urged British nationals to leave the area immediately.
Airstrikes in Lebanon are laying the groundwork for a possible operation to push Hezbollah back and “safely return” displaced Israeli citizens, said Israeli army general Lt Gen Herzi Halevi.
He told troops on Israel’s northern border the military is “preparing the process of a manoeuvre, which means your military boots, your manoeuvring boots, will enter enemy territory, enter villages that Hezbollah has prepared as large military outposts”.
Read the full report here:
Maroosha Muzaffar26 September 2024 09:00
1727337600At least 23 killed in Israeli strike on building in Lebanon – local mayor claims We’re hearing more on the ground on the impact of the overnight strikes by Israel on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon this morning.
News agency Reuters has spoken to a mayor in the town of Younine, who says at least 23 people, all of them Syrian, have been killed in a strike on a three-storey building.
Mayor Ali Qusas added that eight others had been wounded.
Alex Ross26 September 2024 09:00
1727337156Smoke billows above southern Lebanon after Israeli strikesAs Israel’s military announces it hit 75 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, pictures have emerged showing smoke rising into the sky from impacted areas.
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)Alex Ross26 September 2024 08:52
1727335800UN chief attacks Security Council for failure of leadership to end warsJane Dalton26 September 2024 08:30
1727335400Israel claims to have hit 75 Hezbollah targets in LebanonJust following our reporting on the US , UK and other allies calling for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has this morning claimed to have hit 75 targets in Lebanon overnight.
On X, the Israel Defense Forces account released a statement on Thursday morning.
It read: “Approx. 75 Hezbollah terrorist targets in the area of Beqaa and in southern Lebanon were precisely struck by the IDF overnight. These targets included weapons storage facilities, ready-to-fire launchers, terrorists, and terrorist infrastructure.”
Alex Ross26 September 2024 08:23
1727334000US seeks deal involving Gaza and Lebanon ceasefire A senior Western diplomat has said a peace deal being sought by the US on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting would include an Israeli announcement of an end to major hostilities in Gaza, followed by a push for a ceasefire in Lebanon and then a political deal involving a demarcation of the contentious Israeli-Lebanese land border.
The diplomat said that could provide an “off-ramp” for Hezbollah to avoid a full-scale war with Israel.
The senior Lebanese official and the source familiar with Hezbollah’s thinking said Hezbollah was open to any settlement that included both Gaza and Lebanon.
A second Lebanese official said it would be impossible to stop the conflicts without a package that covered both.
Discussions have focused on what would initially be a “pause” in Israel-Hezbollah hostilities and a restart of stalled indirect Israel-Hamas negotiations, according to a US source in Washington.
Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike (REUTERS)Jane Dalton26 September 2024 08:00
1727332217Australia urges its citizens to leave Lebanon as Beirut airport may close soonAustralia has urged its 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave due to the escalating conflict, warning that Beirut airport may close soon.
With Israel intensifying airstrikes and the possibility of a ground assault, Australia is preparing contingency plans, potentially including evacuations by sea, according to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
He, however, refused to give more details on the evacuation plan.
“We’re looking at every option, but there’s obviously national security issues,” he told Sky News in an interview.
“Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve,” Mr Albanese said on ABC Television.
“We’ve been meeting on this through appropriate bodies over a period of time, including engaging with our friends and allies,” he added.
Foreign minister Penny Wong also said there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period, and urged Australians who live in Lebanon — around 15,000 — to leave now.
Maroosha Muzaffar26 September 2024 07:30
1727331332Britain joins US, France and allies in call for 21-day ceasefire between Israel and HezbollahThe UK has joined the US, France and a host of allies in calling for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, warning the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah is “intolerable”.
In a joint statement, the 12-strong bloc calls for a 21-day ceasefire “to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement”, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza.
The statement says: “The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation. This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.
“It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.
“Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict.”
Read the full report here:
Maroosha Muzaffar26 September 2024 07:15
