Israel Hezbollah war highlights: Israel says strike against Iran will be 'lethal, precise and surprising'

China's official foreign aid agency, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, announced on Tuesday that it will send emergency medical supplies to Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated. According to Li Ming, the agency's spokesperson, the recent intensification of fighting has resulted in "explosions and air strikes" occurring in various locations throughout Lebanon, leading to a significant number of casualties.

The statement from the agency said, "At the request of the Lebanese government, the Chinese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian medical supplies to Lebanon to help Lebanon carry out medical assistance."

On Monday, Hezbollah launched rockets targeting Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, while Israel appeared to be preparing to expand its offensive into Lebanese territory. This escalation comes one year after the devastating attack by Hamas on Israel, which triggered the Gaza war.

The conflict's focus has increasingly shifted towards Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been engaged in exchanges of fire with Hezbollah since the Iranian-backed group initiated a missile barrage in support of Hamas on Oct. 8.

On the anniversary of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris paid their respects as the presidential candidates approach the final weeks of the campaign amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. The surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 last year claimed the lives of 1,200 people, including 46 US citizens, and resulted in the capture of approximately 250 hostages. Harris condemned the attack as "an act of pure evil."

In her remarks, Harris invoked the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning, to express "our enduring belief in God, even in our darkest moments." She pledged her ongoing commitment to Israel's security and the release of hostages held by Hamas, mentioning several of them by name. Additionally, Harris acknowledged the need to "relieve the immense suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced so much pain and loss over the year."

Following Harris's speech, Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, shared his personal sentiments, stating, "This is an incredibly challenging day for Jews around the world, myself included." He described the attack as "seared into our souls," emphasizing the raw emotions still felt a year later. The vice president's residence saw the planting of a young pomegranate tree, with Harris and Emhoff using shovels to cover its roots with soil before pausing and bowing their heads in a moment of reflection.

Republican candidate Trump visited the New York City gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Orthodox Judaism, on Monday morning. Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was regarded by some as a messianic figure, although the Chabad movement has disavowed any teachings suggesting he was the messiah. Trump, wearing a black kippah, placed a stone atop Schneerson's headstone, following the traditional Jewish custom.

Later that day, Trump held a remembrance event at his Doral golf resort in Miami, where Jewish community leaders, Republican members of Congress, and three Holocaust survivors were invited to light candles in memory of those killed during the attack a year ago. Despite the looming threat of Hurricane Milton, Trump emphasized the importance of the event, stating, "I wouldn't have missed this, regardless."

While honoring the lives lost and the hostages still in captivity, Trump declared that the November election would be the most significant day not only in the history of the United States but also in Israel. He criticized the resurgence of anti-Semitism, particularly within the Democratic Party, while asserting its absence in the Republican Party. However, Trump's own associations with individuals who espouse anti-Semitic rhetoric, such as his recent dinner with Holocaust-denying white nationalist Nick Fuentes and the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, have raised concerns.

Police arrested 43 unauthorised individuals from Palestinian territories in Jaffa during a targeted operation aimed at addressing the issue of illegal employment and housing. The operation was prompted by concerns about the presence of illegal aliens in the area.

Two of the individuals were taken into custody while driving a vehicle, while the remaining 41 were discovered in two separate apartments located on a street in Jaffa.

Law enforcement officials stated that the investigation into the employers of the Palestinians, who lacked the necessary permits to work or reside in Israel, is ongoing. The possibility of filing criminal charges against these employers is currently under consideration.

Authorities emphasized the potential risks posed to both the individuals involved and the general public when contractors and citizens provide employment and housing to residents of Palestinian areas who do not possess valid residence or work permits.

On Monday, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the US presidency, addressed a gathering at his Trump National Doral Golf Club in southern Florida to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas militant attacks on Israel. During his speech, he cautioned Americans to "never forget" the tragic events that unfolded on October 7, 2023.

Trump emphasized the significance of remembering "the nightmare of that day" and asserted that "the October 7 attack would never have happened if I was president." His tribute to the victims was delivered to an audience of several hundred people at the campaign event.

The United States has once again urged Hamas to free all captives taken during the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, pledging to continue efforts until the hostages are back with their loved ones.

In a press conference on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, "Hamas should release every one of these hostages immediately, and the United States will not rest until they are returned to their families."

Miller denounced Hamas' actions on the one-year anniversary of the deadly attack. He said, "Today marks the tragic anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel, where 1,200 men, women, and children, including 46 Americans and citizens of more than 30 countries, were slaughtered by Hamas."

The spokesperson also emphasized the ongoing hostage situation, noting that "Hamas took 254 people hostage, including 12 Americans, on October 7, 2023. An estimated 101 hostages, including 7 Americans, remain in Gaza."

Miller pointed out that Hamas' attack has resulted in a prolonged conflict with dire consequences for Palestinians. He added, "As the Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in his statement that United States mourns the death of every innocent who died on October 7 and we are determined to continue to work for a ceasefire agreement that brings the hostages home, alleviates the suffering of the Israeli and Palestinian people, and ultimately brings an end to this war."

Israel expressed appreciation to US President Joe Biden for his condolence call on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack. Israel President Isaac Herzog tweeted, "I thank US President @JoeBiden, a true friend of the State of Israel, for calling me to extend his condolences to the people of Israel on the one-year anniversary of the October 7th massacre."
Last year on October 7, hundreds of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli borders, killing over 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, with 100 still in captivity. Israel responded with a major counteroffensive in Gaza, targeting Hamas forces. However, the rising civilian casualties, particularly among women and children, have raised humanitarian concerns about the escalating conflict.

Oil prices experienced a slight decline during the early trading hours in Asia on Tuesday, as traders engaged in profit-taking following a rally that pushed prices to their highest levels in over a month on Monday. The surge in prices was driven by concerns over the possibility of a region-wide conflict in the Middle East.

The escalation of violence in the region intensified after Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched rocket attacks on Haifa, Israel's third-largest city. In response, Israel appeared to be preparing to expand its military operations into Lebanon, just a year after the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Brent crude futures decreased by 23 cents, or 0.3%, settling at $80.70 per barrel by 0029 GMT. Similarly, U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropped by 20 cents, or 0.3%, reaching $76.94 a barrel. Both contracts had surged by more than 3% on Monday, reaching their highest levels since late August. This followed a rally last week that saw prices increase by over 8%, marking the largest weekly gains in more than a year.

The recent rally was triggered by Iran's missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1. Israel has vowed to respond and is currently considering its options, with Iran's oil facilities being a potential target. However, some analysts believe that an attack on Iranian oil infrastructure is improbable and have cautioned that oil prices could face significant downward pressure if Israel chooses to target any other location.

Furthermore, even if an attack were to target Iranian oil facilities, ANZ Bank analysts pointed out on Friday that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has a spare supply capacity of 7 million barrels per day, which could compensate for any loss in Iranian oil output. (Reuters)

On the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, people around the world gathered to commemorate and protest the event that led to a devastating war in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, fueled violence in other parts of the Middle East, and sparked protests and divisions globally.

In New York City, the divisions were apparent as a remembrance ceremony took place in Central Park, while pro-Palestinian protesters gathered less than a mile away. The surprise cross-border attack by Hamas militants last year claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people, with another 250 taken hostage, and around 100 still in captivity, many of whom are feared dead. The attack, which occurred on a significant Jewish holiday, shattered the sense of security for Israelis and raised the possibility of a major conflict in the Middle East.

Natalie Sanandaji, a survivor from a music festival where the attackers killed hundreds, addressed the audience in Central Park, saying, "The unfathomable horrors I experienced that morning have transformed me, along with every single Israeli and every single Jew."

In response to the October 7 attack, Israel launched a war against Hamas in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 41,000 people and the displacement of approximately 1.9 million. The conflict has expanded in the region, with Israel also engaging in battles against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, facing increasing threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels, and grappling with an escalating conflict with Iran, which supports Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

In New York, protesters displayed a large Palestinian flag on a street near the New York Stock Exchange, while a smaller group of counterprotesters held an Israeli flag. The pro-Palestinian group grew into a blocks-long column as they marched through the streets of Manhattan, at one point holding a banner that read "war begets war" on the steps of the New York Public Library. (AP)

Lebanon's Hezbollah on Monday attacked the northern Israeli city of Haifa with a large salvo of rockets, the armed group said in a statement.

"In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their valiant and honourable resistance, and in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli invasion of cities, villages, and civilians, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance bombed on Monday noon north of the city of Haifa with a large rocket salvo," said the statement.

"The Islamic Resistance fighters also bombed Nimra base and Karmiel settlement with rocket salvos," it added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his gratitude to U.S. President Joe Biden for offering condolences on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack. In a post on X, Herzog thanked Biden for his unwavering support, highlighting the US administration’s solidarity since the war began. Biden underscored his deep connection to Israel and Zionism, while also pointing out the threat posed by Iran and its proxies in the region.

Diplomats worldwide remembered the victims of the attack. Lebanon's Ambassador Rabie Narsh emphasised regional tensions, criticising Israel for not being held accountable and stressing Lebanon's desire to avoid war escalation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate release of all hostages and expressed solidarity with the victims.

The conflict, which started after Hamas terrorists killed over 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages, has led to a massive Israeli counteroffensive. Gaza's health ministry reports over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, raising humanitarian concerns. The conflict has also spread, with Israel targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking Israel. Global calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations persist, with many stressing a two-state solution as a long-term resolution.

On Monday, Palestinian militants in Gaza launched a barrage of rockets into Israel, coinciding with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike reportedly killed at least 10 firefighters, while Hezbollah continued its rocket fire at Israel, despite recent losses. Hamas claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli forces across Gaza, prompting the Israeli military to respond with artillery and airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure.

The anniversary highlighted the militants' resilience amid a devastating Israeli offensive that has resulted in approximately 42,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza, displacing around 90% of its population. One year ago, Hamas militants executed a surprise attack, breaching Israel's security fence and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, while abducting 250 others. Currently, about 100 captives are believed to be held in Gaza, with a third thought to be dead.

Israel is engaged in conflict with both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and has vowed to retaliate against Iran following a recent ballistic missile attack on its territory.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they fired two missiles at Jaffa, a city in central Israel, and Israel said it intercepted a missile aimed at the area from Yemen.

The Israeli military said a surface-to-surface missile set off air raid sirens across central Israel, sending residents running for shelter.

"Following the sirens that sounded in a number of areas in central Israel, the surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen was successfully intercepted" by the Israeli Air Force, the military said in a statement.

The statement did not say who fired the missile.

The Houthis said one missile was a Palestine 2 and it "reached" its target. The group said the second was a Dhu al-Fiqar missile but did not describe its outcome.

The Yemeni group said the operation "successfully achieved its objectives" and it targeted several drones at Jaffa and Eilat.

Israel's military declared areas around a number of towns in northwest Israel as closed to the public on Monday, after carrying out a security assessment.
It announced that the closed military zones along the border with Lebanon would now include the towns of Shlomi, Rosh Hanikra, Hanita, Arab al-Aramshe and Adamit.

Many parts of northern Israel have been evacuated due to heavy rocket and missile fire from Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

As the war stretches in Israel, Army declares four areas in north 'closed military zone'

Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said on Monday that it targeted the area north of the city of Haifa in Israel with a missile salvo.

Hamas's armed wing vowed on Monday, the anniversary of the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, to keep fighting what it described as a "long war of attrition".
"We choose to keep up the fight in a long war of attrition, one that is painful and costly for the enemy," said Abu Obeida, spokesman of the militant group's armed wing.

He also warned that scores of people taken hostage into Gaza on October 7 last year were enduring a "very difficult" situation.

He said the "psychological and health condition of the remaining hostages has become very difficult".

His statement, broadcast on Al Jazeera, came as Israel marked the anniversary of the worst attack in its history.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.