NETANYAHU KEEPS ARMY FIGHTING “AT FULL POWER”, ROCKETS LAUNCHED FROM GAZA INTO ISRAEL : latest Middel East Updates

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧NETANYAHU KEEPS ARMY FIGHTING “AT FULL POWER”

He has instructed Israel’s military to keep fighting at full power and has not yet given his response to the proposed ceasefire deal.

Netanyahu also said fighting will continue in Gaza until all of the war goals have been achieved.

The IDF said this morning they are continuing attacks on Hezbollah in several areas of Lebanon to “dismantle and degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure.”

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧ISRAEL STRIKES 75 TARGETS IN LEBANON

At least 23 Syrians were killed in one of the attacks on a three-story building in Younine, 75km northeast of Beirut, with 8 others wounded, according to Mayor Ali Qusas.

Another 9 people were killed in airstrikes on the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.

Source: Independent

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧NO ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT YET

Officials said that the discussions have now been expanded to include Gaza, and the negotiations are “no longer at the Lebanon level” but have escalated to the “international level.”

Netanyahu is under pressure from several Israeli politicians to reject a 21-day agreement in favor of a 7-day agreement over fears that allowing Hezbollah additional time to regroup will make a land invasion harder.

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧ISRAEL CONDUCTS AIRSTRIKES ON LEBANON AS CEASEFIRE TALKS CONTINUE

As the world waits to see if a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will be implemented, jets continued to strike targets in Debbin, Jebchit, Houmin, Sharqiya, Bazourieh, Samaiya, Kfar Shouba, Kfarjouz, and Kfar Reman in southern Lebanon.

Source: Al Jazeera
Image from previous airstrike

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧NETANYAHU SHOULD ONLY AGREE TO 7-DAY CEASEFIRE

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition in Israel, rejected calls for a 21-day ceasefire with Hezbollah in favor of a much shorter one.

He said that even the slightest violation of a deal would push Israel to restart its attacks with “full force and in all areas of Lebanon.””

“We will not accept any proposal that does not include removing Hezbollah from our northern border.”

Senior U.S officials have said that they expect a 21-day ceasefire deal to be implemented “in the coming hours” along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧HEZBOLLAH WON’T BE A SIGNATORY TO CEASEFIRE DEAL

U.S officials said Hezbollah would not be a signatory to the ceasefire, but they believe the government of Lebanon would coordinate its acceptance with the group.

The agreement for a 21-day halt in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is expected to come into effect in the coming hours.

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇵🇸ROCKETS LAUNCHED FROM GAZA INTO ISRAEL

Interceptor missiles were launched over Kibbutz Sufa during an apparent rocket attack from the Gaza Strip a short while ago.

No sirens sounded in any towns.

Source: Times of Israel reporter

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧U.S EXPECTS ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE TO TAKE EFFECT “IN THE COMING HOURS”

Senior U.S officials said that exhaustive behind-the-scenes diplomacy had resulted in “near agreement” between the two sides for a 21-day halt in fighting.

One official said:

“During those 21 days, the parties will negotiate towards a potential resolution of the conflict that has been ongoing since Hezbollah launched the attack on October 8, and to reach a comprehensive agreement along the blue line that allows for residents to return to their home in both Lebanon and Israel.”

It comes after the US, UK, France and other allies issued a statement urging a pause in the fighting.

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇮🇱🇱🇧AT LEAST 9 DEAD AS ISRAEL CONTINUES AIRSTRIKES ON LEBANON

The overnight and early morning bombing raids focused on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.

In addition, airstrikes targeted Kfar Tibnit, Kfar Reman, and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.

It’s believed that Israel is trying to displace as many people as possible from towns and villages to increase the pressure on Hezbollah.

Source: Sky News

Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal
🇺🇸🇫🇷BIDEN JOINS MACRON IN CALLING FOR ISRAELI-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE

A joint statement from the 2 leaders has been issued by the White House:

“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 October 7th, and in particular over the past two weeks, threatens a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians.

We therefore have worked together in recent days on a joint call for a temporary ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border.

The statement we have negotiated is now endorsed by the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.

We call for broad endorsement and for the immediate support of the Governments of Israel and Lebanon.”

Source: White House