Skip to main content

Israeli raids block West Bank residents from critical care

Israel raids have left wrecked roads, bullet-riddled buildings and debris-strewn streets in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, preventing ambulances from reaching those in desperate need of care.

"It is not only difficult, but also unsafe to reach the hospital during clashes," said Wissam Baker, the director of Jenin's hospital.

Patients needing dialysis, chemotherapy or maternity care are particularly vulnerable, he said, as delays in treatment could be life-threatening.

Yet their lives are also at risk when trying to get treatment.

Ambulances have come under Israeli army fire, while roads leading to Jenin's hospital are frequently blocked

'We were asleep': shock after Israeli strike kills journalists in south Lebanon

Seeking a safe place to rest while covering the war in Lebanon, a group of journalists had gone to sleep in an area outside Hezbollah control, only to be awoken Friday by a deadly Israeli air strike.

The strike on Hasbaya at around 03:30 AM (1230 GMT) killed cameraman Ghassan Najjar and broadcast engineer Mohammad Reda, who worked for the pro-Iran, Beirut-based broadcaster Al Mayadeen, and video journalist Wissam Qassem of Hezbollah's al-Manar television.

Several vehicles marked "press" were destroyed in the strike on Hasbaya, a town outside Hezbollah-controlled areas

Gaza ministry says Israeli forces detain hundreds at hospital

Gaza's health ministry said Israeli forces detained hundreds of staff, patients and displaced people during a raid on Friday on the last functioning hospital in the territory's embattled north.

"Israeli forces have stormed and are present inside Kamal Adwan Hospital" in the city of Jabalia, the ministry said in a statement.

"They are detaining hundreds of patients, medical staff and some displaced individuals from neighbouring areas who sought refuge in the hospital from continuous bombardment."

A wounded Palestinian child receives treatment in the emergency room at north Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital the day before Israeli troops raided it and detained those still inside

Blinken sees 'real urgency' for Lebanon resolution in PM meeting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Friday to work with "real urgency" for a diplomatic resolution to end Israel's offensive in Lebanon but said it was first critical to reach understandings on disarmament of Hezbollah.

Shortly after meeting Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London, Blinken also pleaded for protection of civilians but stopped short of urging an immediate ceasefire by Israel, which relies on US diplomatic and military support.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati met in London

'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel killed its leader

The killing of Hezbollah's powerful leader Hassan Nasrallah a month ago has marked a fundamental shift for the Iran-backed Lebanese movement and revived calls for it to surrender its vast weapons arsenal.

"The death of Nasrallah marked the end of an era," said analyst Sam Heller of the US-based think tank Century Foundation.

After decades at the helm, Nasrallah's death "will necessarily mark a shift for the organisation", Heller added.

Nasrallah's influence extended far beyond his loyal Shiite Muslim support base in Lebanon.

Slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was a pillar of the Iran-aligned 'axis of resistance' in the Middle East

Lebanon minister says Israel strike puts second Syria crossing out of service

Lebanon's Transport minister said on Friday that Israeli bombing made a second border crossing between the country and Syria inoperable -- leaving only one main official passage between the two nations operational.

"The Qaa crossing has been put out of service after an Israeli strike on Syrian territory," Ali Hamieh told AFP, adding that the strike blocked the passage of vehicles.

Damage seen from Qaa, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 on the Syrian side of the Matraba crossing between Lebanon and Syria

Iran's aviation woes compounded by latest EU sanctions

Iranian photographer Tannaz was on her way to Tehran's airport when European sanctions on flag carrier Iran Air forced her to return home, unable to make it to work in Paris.

It was within hours of the European Union announcing measures last week against prominent Iranian officials and entities, including airlines, accused of involvement in the transfer of missiles and drones for Russia to use in its war against Ukraine.

Iran's aviation sector has long grappled with a host of challenges worsened by Western sanctions

Lebanese media say three journalists killed in Israeli strike

Three journalists were killed in an Israeli air strike overnight, Lebanese state media NNA said Friday, with a pro-Iran broadcaster adding that the raids targeted a residence of press workers in southeastern Lebanon.

Israeli military planes struck at 3:30 am (0030 GMT) near the Syrian border, leaving three dead, NNA said.

Pro-Iran Lebanese television channel Al Mayadeen said its cameraman Ghassan Najjar, as well as broadcast engineer Mohammad Reda, were killed in the Israeli air strike targeting a "journalists' residence in Hasbaya, South Lebanon".

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs

IMF official calls on international community to bring end to Lebanon conflict

The international community should work to end the conflict in the Middle East and address the "huge" humanitarian crisis that has engulfed countries in the region, the head of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department said Thursday.

Jihad Azour spoke to AFP in Washington, where the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are currently taking place.

IMF Middle East and Central Asia department director Jihad Azour told AFP that the international community should 'put its utmost effort' into ending the fighting in Lebanon

Saudis part ways with coach Mancini after poor run

Saudi Arabia's football body said it was ending the contract of national coach Roberto Mancini after 14 months in the job on Thursday, following a run of poor results.

The Saudi Football Federation has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a lucrative deal until 2027 in August last year, a statement said.

Building a strong national team is a priority for the oil-rich Saudis who splashed more than a billion dollars on players last year and are the sole bidders for the 2034 World Cup.

I'll get my coat: Roberto Mancini had his contract with Saudi Arabia terminated on Thursday