DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Such escalation could also jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages, despite recent progress in negotiations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed comprehensive security strategies to protect Israel, according to a statement on Monday. Israel was considering its options to prepare for a regional attack over the weekend. The country braces for war in its own way and tends to pick up after itself.

Persons: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, Israel, Israel hasn’t, “, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Michael Kurilla, Kurilla, Ayman Safadi, Badr Abdelatti, Ali Bagheri Kani, ‘, Masoud Pezeshkian, Safadi, Nasser Kanaani, Fu’ad Shukr, Majdal Shams, Hassan Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” “, ” Netanyahu, Ali Bagheri, Netanyahu, Gallant, Daniel Hagari, Lebanon scrambledto, floaties, Samer Othman, Jalaa Marey, Othman, Liz Nicholas, David Adom, Be’er, Ivana Reiser, Zeev Jabotinsky, Naama, ” Be’er, ” Baer, Reiser, Roy Dror, Ron Heckmann, they’re, Dror, ” Heckmann, Uri Shacham, Shacham Organizations: Jerusalem CNN —, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Saturday, US, Israeli, Defense, US Central Command, Jordanian, Egypt’s, Zionist, Israel, Iran, Sunday, Getty Images Israel, Hezbollah, CNN, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Getty, MDA Locations: Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Gaza, United States, Syria, Majdal, Golan, ”, AFP, Cairo, Lebanese, Beirut’s, Mount Herzl, London, Nahariyah

But although Mr. Nasrallah promised that Hezbollah would respond, he equivocated on the scope and nature of that retaliation. “We have entered a new phase,” he said, speaking in a televised address during the funeral for Mr. Shukr. “You do not realize the red lines you have crossed,” warned Mr. Nasrallah, addressing Israel directly. “The only things lying between us and you are the days, the nights and the battlefield,” said Mr. Nasrallah, again addressing Israel. Credit... Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York TimesAfter Mr. Nasrallah finished his speech, Mr. Shukr’s coffin was carried onto the street outside and met a sea of mourners.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Fuad Shukr, Nasrallah, ”, Shukr, Mr, Diego Ibarra Sanchez, Fatima Nizan al, “, ” Aaron Boxerman, Hwaida Saad Organizations: The New York Locations: Lebanese, Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Lebanon’s, Iran, Credit, Beirut’s, Jerusalem

☆ Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran by bomb planted months before blast, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Iranian state media and Hamas previously indicated that Haniyeh was killed by a rocket fired from outside the building in which he was staying. An image published by the New York Times shows the building where Haniyeh is believed to have been assassinated. He had a full schedule of public appearances and meetings before he was assassinated, according to Iranian state media press reports. Haniyeh was first pictured on Tuesday, before the inauguration, meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Afterwards, Iranian state media published images of Haniyeh meeting with Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Israel, Haniyeh’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Masoud Pezeshkian, IRNA, Iran’s, “, Muhammad ibn Abd al, Umm, Abed, ”, Fu’ad Shukr, Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Shukr, Mustafa Badreddine, Israel’s, Daniel Hagari, ” Hagari, Magen David Adom, –, Mohammed Deif, Deif, Khan Younis, CNN’s Mostafa Salem, Tamara Qiblawi, Kareem Khadder, Tamar Michaelis, Tim Lister, Eyad Kourdi, Paul P, Murphy Organizations: Israel CNN, CNN, The New York Times, Hamas, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, New York Times, Iranian, Islamic, Assembly, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, MDA, Kibbutz, Thursday Locations: Haifa, Israel, Tehran, Doha, Iran, Qatari, Wahhab, Lusail city, Beirut, Lebanon, Golan, Yemen, Syria, Haniyeh, Kibbutz Afek, Al, Gaza, Qatar’s

☆ Hezbollah Leader Threatens Retaliation Against Israel, Saying Conflict Is in ‘New Phase’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Euan Ward | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said on Thursday that its conflict with Israel had entered a new phase after an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, this week. But although Mr. Nasrallah promised that Hezbollah would respond, he equivocated on the scope and nature of that retaliation. “We have entered a new phase,” he said, speaking in a televised address during the funeral for Mr. Shukr. “You do not realize the red lines you have crossed,” warned Mr. Nasrallah, addressing Israel directly. The speech by Mr. Nasrallah on Thursday appeared to straddle that line.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Fuad Shukr, Nasrallah, ”, Shukr, Mr Locations: Lebanese, Israel, Lebanon’s, Beirut, Iran

☆ Biden weighs more US defenses for Israel as the region prepares for Iranian retaliation
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —President Joe Biden is weighing more US defenses in the Middle East as the US prepares for an Iranian retaliation against Israel that officials say could include an attack on American forces. The statement did not detail what new deployments would occur ahead of an anticipated Iranian attack in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The officials said an Iranian response could occur in the coming days. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that “international partners” have bolstered their forces in the region, though he did not specify which countries. The US is expecting the anticipated Iranian attack may be similar to the barrage of ballistic missiles and drones launched against Israel on April 13, officials said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday, Biden, Ismail Haniyeh, Theodore Roosevelt, “ We’re, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Biden, Joint Base Andrews, Haniyah, ”, Daniel Hagari, Israel’s, Jordan, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, Haniyeh Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Pentagon, US Central Command, Navy, USS, Marine, Joint Base, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Defense, Israel Locations: Israel, Tehran, Gulf of Oman, Aden, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Jordan, Iran, Beirut, East

It was a precise strike that took out an office in a building and caused little damage outside of that. Months of tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Hezbollah had largely been confined to areas near the border between Lebanon and Israel. Israel and the US blamed Hezbollah for the strike; the group denied responsibility. Israel had vowed to punish Hezbollah for the Golan strike, raising fears once again that simmering tensions could finally spiral into all-out conflict. Israel said the weekend assault in Golan had crossed a red line.

Persons: Israel, ”, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: Lebanese, Hezbollah, US, CNN Locations: Palestinian, Gaza, Beirut, Israel, Lebanon, Golan Heights, “, Tel Aviv, Golan

☆ Israel targets Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike after deadly Golan Heights attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Beirut CNN —Israel says it has launched a strike in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting a Hezbollah commander that it blamed for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. An Israeli official identified the target of the strike as Fu’ad Shukr, also known as al-Hajj Mohsin. Israel wanted to send “a very strong message” with tonight’s strike, according to a senior Israeli official, but hopes to avoid further escalation. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the strike but did say it had fired at Israeli military targets in the area. Tuesday’s attack is of a different caliber, marking the largest Israeli escalation with the powerful Lebanese militant group since October 8.

Persons: Beirut CNN — Israel, Yoav Gallant, “, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Majdal Shams, Fu’ad, Hajj Mohsin, Shukr, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, NNA, ” Organizations: Beirut CNN, Israel’s, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Iranian, Reuters, Lebanese, Hezbollah Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Golan, Majdal, Iranian Embassy, Israel, United States, Palestinian, Gaza, “, Tel Aviv

Image A photo of Fuad Shukr, from a wanted poster released by the U.S. State Department. Rewards for Justice, via Associated PressIt was not immediately clear whether Mr. Shukr, also known by his nom de guerre al-Hajj Mohsin, survived the Israeli assassination attempt. Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general, described Mr. Shukr as “an experienced veteran” who had worked intensively to develop Hezbollah’s precision-guided missile apparatus. Analysts say the munitions are a particular concern for Israeli military planners. “It’s kind of run by committee, but Fuad Shukr is more or less first among equals,” he said, adding that Mr. Shukr reported directly to Mr. Nasrallah.

Persons: Fuad Shukr, Shukr, guerre, Hajj Mohsin, ”, Hassan Nasrallah, Mustafa Badreddine, Assaf, Matthew Levitt, Mohanad Hage Ali, Mr, Levitt, “, Nasrallah, Ronen Bergman Organizations: U.S, U.S . State Department . Credit, Justice, Associated, The State Department, Hezbollah, Washington Institute for Near, Carnegie Middle East, Israel Locations: Beirut, Golan, Syria, American, Israeli, Lebanon

☆ Fu’ad Shukr: Israeli strike targeting a top Hezbollah military leader takes region to the brink of all-out war
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Israel says it has killed Hezbollah’s most senior military official, Fu’ad Shukr, in a drone strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a populous neighborhood that is also the Iran-backed group’s stronghold. Fu'ad Shukr Rewards for JusticeWhatever the fate of Shukr, Wednesday’s strike is the most serious Israeli escalation since confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8. The developments have raised the specter of an all-out war between Lebanon and Israel that could extend beyond the borders of both countries. Nasrallah has repeatedly threatened to hit Tel Aviv in response to any Israeli strike on Beirut, a move that would thrust the two countries, and the region, into uncharted waters. How long this highly calibrated tit-for-tat can go on for before the region spirals into an unprecedented war is anyone’s guess.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Hezbollah’s, Fu’ad Shukr, Mustafa Badreddine, General Hassan Nasrallah, Fu'ad, Shukr, Israel, Majdal Shams, Nasrallah, CNN’s Ben Wedeman, Abdullah Bou Habib, ” Organizations: CNN, group’s, Tel, Popular, Units, Lebanon’s Locations: Beirut, Iran, Syria, Majdal, Golan, Lebanon, Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Yemen, Iraq, Tehran

Israel launched a deadly strike in a densely populated Beirut suburb on Tuesday in retaliation for a rocket attack in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that it blamed Hezbollah for and that killed 12 children and teenagers on a soccer field. The target of the Israeli strike in a southern suburb of Lebanon’s capital was Fuad Shukr, a senior official who serves as a close adviser to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, according to three Israeli security officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details. The Israel Defense Forces later said in a statement that its fighter jets had “eliminated” Mr. Shukr, but there was no confirmation from Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed group, and the claim could not be independently verified. Hezbollah has denied carrying out the attack in the Golan Heights on Saturday. The latest strikes were likely to fuel concerns that Israel’s long-running conflict with the group could escalate into a full-blown war even as Israel wages a military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after that group led a deadly assault in Israel on Oct. 7.

Persons: Israel, Fuad Shukr, Hassan Nasrallah, ” Mr, Shukr Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Hamas Locations: Beirut, Golan, Lebanon’s, Iran, Israel, Gaza

☆ Lebanon is 'not tank country' and an Israeli armored assault there exposes it to Hezbollah's firepower
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Towards the end of their 34-day war in 2006, the Israeli Army sent tanks into southern Lebanon. Advertisement"Out of the 400 tanks involved in the fighting in southern Lebanon, 48 were hit, 40 were damaged, and 20 penetrated. Israeli tanks suffered losses to Hezbollah during their 2006 war in Lebanon. Any cross-border incursion by Israeli armor would undoubtedly have cover and protection from accompanying infantry, artillery, aircraft, and drones. "The idea is that the first missile is taken out by an Israeli tank's Trophy defense system, but (that active protection system) doesn't have time to counter the second missile.

Persons: —, That's, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, Nicholas Heras, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Nicholas Blanford, Blanford, RANE's Bohl, Spike ATGMs, Heras Organizations: Service, Business, Hezbollah, New Lines Institute, Israeli Army, GALI TIBBON, Getty, East, Hamas, Atlantic Council, Israel, IDF Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Lebanese, Russian, Wadi Saluki, Wadi Hujeir, GALI, Gaza, North Africa, Iranian

☆ Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah Hangs Over Gaza Cease-Fire Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Ephrat Livni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

When intelligence chiefs of the United States, Israel and Egypt went to Qatar on Wednesday for talks aimed at brokering a cease-fire in Gaza, there was more on the line than Israel’s war against Hamas. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allied with Iran in what they call “the axis of resistance,” a coalition that opposes Israel’s right to exist. Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, who are backed by Iran, have traded fire since the war in Gaza began after Hamas led an attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Israeli government officials and military leaders have in recent weeks toured northern Israel and met with troops stationed there who were preparing for a potential escalation. Whether efforts at de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah can succeed may well depend on how the cease-fire talks in Qatar progress.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Mr, Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s, Abbas Salman, Yasser Nemr Qranbish, Bilal Hussein, —, heightening, — Noa, Nir Baranes, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd J, Austin III, Israel ”, Meir Elran, al, Ansari Organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, ., Associated, Ortal, Lebanese, U.S ., Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies, Brig, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Locations: United States, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Gaza, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, Beirut, Golan, Washington, Tel Aviv, France

☆ Hezbollah has the weapons to carry out its threat against Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The threat against Cyprus is also an indirect threat against NATO member Greece, which has close ties with Israel. "Although the Republic of Cyprus and Israel have enjoyed strategic cooperation for years, the current timing is crucial. "The Republic of Cyprus is able to expose the tactics of Hezbollah at the EU level and simultaneously seek support by the US." Jack Guez/Getty ImagesNevertheless, Hezbollah could harm Cyprus if it carries out its threat. Related stories"The Israeli capacity to shoot down Hezbollah's drones in 2022 could be a model for the Republic of Cyprus," Tzogopoulos said.

Persons: —, Hassan Nasrallah, George Tzogopoulos, Tzogopoulos, Nasrallah, Jack Guez, Mark III, Nicholas Heras, Heras Organizations: Service, NATO, Israel, Cypriot, Business, Hezbollah, European Union, UN, Sovereign Base, EU, Cypriot National Guard, New Lines Institute, Israeli Air Force, New Lines, Israeli Defense Forces Locations: Iran, Lebanon, Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, United Kingdom, Akrotiri, EU, Gaza, Russian, Nicosia, Iranian Fateh, Yemen, Syria, NATO

☆ Why an Israel-Hezbollah war would be far more dangerous today than the last time around
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Ben Wedeman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Since its inconclusive 2006 war with the Lebanese militant group, Israel has been planning for a re-match. During the 2006 war, in the experience of this correspondent, it was rare to encounter Hezbollah fighters. In the event of war, full-scale war, both sides will be able to inflict significant pain on the other. In the entire 34-day war of 2006 Hezbollah is estimated to have fired around 4,000 rockets – a daily average of 117. At 6 a.m. on July 13, 2006 – less than 24 hours after the start of the war – Israeli warplanes bombed and knocked out Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Persons: CNN —, Benny Gantz, Hassan Nasrallah, – Nasrallah, Avihu Shapira, Gantz, Beirut’s Rafic, –, Israel, Iran’s, Qais Al, Ahl Al, Haq, Lebanon “ Organizations: CNN, Reichman University, Israel, Getty, Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International, Washington Locations: Lebanon, Herzliya, Israel, Lebanese, Haifa, Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Iran, It’s, Israel’s, Yemen, Red, Jordan, America, Tehran, Damascus, Hormuz, Persian, Germany, Sweden, Kuwait, Netherlands

☆ ‘A disastrous event’: All-out war between Israel and Hezbollah could devastate both sides
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

An all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah — the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shia militant and political organization, called a terrorist group by the U.S. and U.K. — would be devastating for both sides. At least 150,000 residents of southern Lebanon and northern Israel have been evacuated from their homes and are internally displaced due to the regular cross-border fire. "A full-fledged war between Israel and Hizbullah would be a disastrous event for the region, including both Israel and Lebanon," Victor Tricaud, a senior analyst at consulting firm Control Risks, told CNBC. Smoke and flame rise after Hezbollah carried out a missile attack on Safed city, northern Israel on June 12, 2024. Hezbollah: 10 times stronger than HamasHezbollah is considered to be among the most heavily armed non-state groups in the world.

Persons: Rabih Daher, —, Joe Biden, Amos Hochstein, Lloyd Austin, Hizbullah, Victor Tricaud, Tricaud, Nimrod Novik, –, Hassan Nasrallah, Wissam Tawil, Mahmoud Zayyat Organizations: AFP, Getty, U.S, Hezbollah, . Defense, Palestinian, Hamas, Reuters, CNBC, Anadolu, Israel, Forum, Israel Policy Forum, Afp Locations: Lebanese, Khiam, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Safed, Forum Lebanon, Lebanon's, Kherbet Selm

☆ Israel's Netanyahu signals 'intense' stage of Gaza fighting is close to end
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Omar Al-qattaa | Afp | Getty ImagesIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that the "intense" phase of fighting in the war-torn Gaza enclosure is close to ending, while stressing the broader war against Hamas wages on. "After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And secondly, to bring our [evacuated] residents home," Netanyahu said, according to a Reuters translation. Thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians have been displaced from their border-facing settlements amid fire exchanged since the October start of the Jewish state's war campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. watch nowAsked when the intense stage of combat against Hamas will finalize, Netanyahu on Sunday said, "Very soon," according to a Google translation of the Channel 14 report.

Persons: Omar Al, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel Katz, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Amos Hochstein, Annalena Baerbock Organizations: Afp, Getty, Channel, Palestinian, Hamas, Israeli Defense Forces, Lebanese, Sunday, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Israel, Israeli Foreign, German, Monday, Reuters Locations: al, Gaza City, Israel, Palestinian, qattaa, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Rafah

☆ Thousands of Iran-backed fighters ready to join Hezbollah's battle with Israel as UN chief warns of catastrophe 'beyond imagination'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThousands of Iran-backed fighters are ready to join the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon as tensions rise with neighboring Israel, the Associated Press reported. Hussein Malla / AP ImagesHezbollah has been launching strikes against Israel in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas since the latter's October 7 attacks, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israel has also been weighing an all-out war with the group, with the country's defense minister, Israel Katz, saying on Tuesday that a decision on such a move was near. In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be severely hit," Katz wrote on X. Advertisement"One rash move – one miscalculation – could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination," he added.

Persons: —, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel, Nasrallah, Hussein Malla, Israel Katz, Katz, António Guterres Organizations: Service, Hezbollah, Associated Press, Business, Atlantic Council, AP, Israel, Hamas, UN, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Baghdad, Gaza

☆ Hezbollah Has Threatened Cyprus. Here’s Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Ephrat Livni | More About Ephrat Livni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Cyprus found itself at the center of the world’s attention this week when the leader of Hezbollah threatened to target the small island nation if it supported Israel in potential war efforts. Here’s a closer look at how Cyprus has been pulled into the situation. Their militaries have conducted joint exercises and exchanged visits, and the two countries have a defense cooperation program, according to the Cyprus Ministry of Defense. Cyprus also has a “defense attaché” in Israel — and in about two dozen other nations — as part of what it calls “active defense diplomacy.”There is an additional cooperation agreement between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, which Cyprus says is aimed at “strengthening peace, stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.”How did Cyprus respond to Hezbollah’s threat? Other allies of Cyprus also condemned Hezbollah’s threat.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Here’s, ”, Israel —, Nikos Christodoulides, “, Christodoulides, Peter Stano, ” Matthew Miller, Nasrallah’s Organizations: Lebanese, Cyprus Ministry of Defense, American, Cypriot, European Union, State Department Locations: Cyprus, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Britain, Egypt, France, Greece, Gaza

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Why Hezbollah is threatening Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

While experts say war between Israel and Hezbollah remains unlikely, the very mention of Cyprus adds a new dimension to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Stavros Ioannides/PIO/ReutersWhat has Cyprus’ role been in the Gaza war? Cyprus has been keen to dispel any suggestions that it is implicated in the Gaza war, noting its humanitarian efforts that helped bring some aid into Gaza. It would mean that an EU country is, for the first time, directly involved in an expanded Gaza war. “The US also does not want to find itself in another Middle East quagmire, especially with presidential elections looming.”

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Nikos Christodoulides, ” Peter Stano, Abdallah Bou Habib, Constantinos Kombos, Lebanon’s, Israel, “, Eli Cohen, Stavros Ioannides, PIO, Christodoulides, Yiannis Kourtoglou, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, ” Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, Biden Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, European Union, EU, United Nations, Lebanon’s, Cypriot, Israel, The, NATO, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Reuters, Spanish, North Africa, Chatham House Locations: Cyprus, Israel, “ Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, EU, Greece, Gaza, East, Europe, European, Delaware, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey, The Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Larnaca, ”, UAE, Russian, Syria, London, Haifa, “

☆ Why Hezbollah is threatening this tiny European country
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

An island in the Eastern Mediterranean located on a geopolitical fault line between the Middle East and southern Europe, Cyprus is geographically much closer to the conflicts in the Middle East than it is to European power centers. The island has previously been caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts, a reminder of its proximity to the volatile Middle East. It would mean that an EU country is, for the first time, directly involved in an expanded Gaza war. “It is normal for both Israel and Hezbollah to have military plans in place for handling a potential escalation. “The US also does not want to find itself in another Middle East quagmire, especially with presidential elections looming.”

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Nikos Christodoulides, Israel, Constantinos Kombos, Eli Cohen, Stavros Ioannides, PIO, Christodoulides, “, Yiannis Kourtoglou, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, ” Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, Biden Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, Union, Israel, The, NATO, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Cypriot, Reuters, Spanish, European Union, North Africa, Chatham House Locations: Cyprus, Israel, “ Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, East, Europe, European, Delaware, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, The Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Larnaca, ”, EU, UAE, Russian, Syria, London, Haifa, “

CNN —US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israel’s air defenses in the north — including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system, three US officials told CNN. Israeli officials have told the US they are planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive against the group, US officials told CNN on Wednesday. “We assess that at least some” Iron Dome batteries “will be overwhelmed,” said a senior administration official. Earlier this month, Hezbollah released a video purporting to show a drone striking and damaging an Iron Dome battery on an army base in northern Israel. The Iron Dome is fundamental to Israel’s defense and the US government has spent over $2.9 billion on the program, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Persons: “, ”, “ We’re, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Israel ‘, Antony Blinken’s, Yoav Gallant, Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Assad Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Congressional Research Service, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic, Biden, US, IDF, Hamas, Israeli, Command, Radwan Force, Rocket Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Lebanese, Jerusalem, Beirut, Rafah, ”, Cyprus, Syria

☆ Hezbollah leader warns Israel of war with 'no red lines,' threatens Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with "no rules and with no red lines" if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel, warning Cyprus against getting mired in the conflict. Lebanon and Israel have regularly traded cross-border fire since the start of the Jewish state's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas — which, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran — in the Gaza Strip. The Hezbollah leader also threatened war against the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, if the European Union member permits Israel to launch military operations from its territory. Nasrallah accused Israel of "conducting maneuvers in preparation for the Lebanon war" in Cyprus, without disclosing his sources. In response to Nasrallah, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday stressed that his country is not involved in the conflict and is, in fact, part of the solution, according to the Cyprus News Agency.

Persons: Iran —, Taleb Sami Abdullah, General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Seth Frantzman, Nasrallah, Israel, Manar, Nikos Christodoulides Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Hezbollah, Foundation, Defense, Democracies, Associated Press, European Union, Cyprus News Agency, CNBC, Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Iran, Gaza, U.S, Cypriot

CNN —Israeli troops have used a medieval-style catapult to toss fireballs across the border into Lebanon, as fighting ramps up between Israel and the Iran-backed Islamist group Hezbollah. The trebuchet, a rotating arm with a sling attached to launch a projectile, has rarely been used since the 16th century. Kan said the trebuchet was probably used to burn shrubbery, making it easier for Israeli forces to identify militants attempting to reach the border. More than 53,000 Israelis have been evacuated from the north since hostilities began in October, the IDF told CNN. In Lebanon, more than 94,000 people have been displaced from the border area, according to the country’s health ministry.

Persons: Kan, Hernán Cortés, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces, Aztecs, IDF Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Lebanese, Syrian, Spanish, Tenochtitlán, Mexico, Cross, Gaza

☆ A Cease-fire Can Help Israel Pause the War’s Second Front - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Mairav Zonszein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On the night of June 3, vast parts of northern Israel went up in flames after Hezbollah fired rockets on the area. It is increasingly evident that without a cease-fire, the situation at the northern border could rapidly deteriorate into a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has stated repeatedly that Hezbollah will continue its attacks as long as the hostilities in Gaza continue. Any deal aimed at stabilizing the situation in the north will depend on reaching a conclusive resolution of the conflict in Gaza that Hamas accepts. Even then, displaced Israelis are understandably skeptical that a cease-fire followed by a diplomatic agreement can restore security and therefore have been pushing for significant military action.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Israel Organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah Locations: Israel, Gaza, Golan

☆ Hezbollah Says Commander Was Killed in an Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Ephrat Livni | More About Ephrat Livni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Hezbollah said on Tuesday that Israeli forces killed one of its commanders in a strike in southern Lebanon, stoking concerns about escalating the conflict on another Israeli front. But the group has not referred to a dead fighter as a “commander” since January, when Wissam Hassan al-Tawil, a commander in the group’s Radwan unit, was killed in a strike. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said that Hezbollah had fired about 50 rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon. Answering calls by Hamas to open a second front a day after its deadly assault on Israel, Hezbollah launched attacks into Israel on Oct. 8.

Persons: Taleb Abdallah, Abu Taleb, ”, Wissam Hassan, Abdallah’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, Euan Ward, Matthew Mpoke Bigg Organizations: Tuesday, Israel, The United Nations Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Iran, ”

Search resuls for: "Hassan Nasrallah"

25 mentions found