US news outlet #Axios and Israeli website #Ynet, both citing unnamed Israeli officials, reported that Qatari mediators had told #Israel that #Hamas was prepared to resume talks on new hostage releases in exchange for a #ceasefire. #Qatar

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/31/israel-gaza-war-live-netanyahu-targets-control-of-gaza-egypt-border-in-many-months-of-war-on-hamas?page=with:block-659101bc8f083c8fda16c580#block-659101bc8f083c8fda16c580

Lana Nusseibeh, the envoy of the #UnitedArabEmirates, expressed the uneasiness of the Arab world that in the absence of “bold and perhaps uncomfortable decisions” to reverse the drift towards regional conflict, “the alternative is the hellscape of #Gaza expanded into the #WestBank, #Israel, #Lebanon, and other parts of the #MiddleEast”.

Middle East is sliding closer to the edge of a wider regional conflict | Israel-Gaza war | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/31/middle-east-sliding-closer-wider-regional-conflict-israel-iran-us

The captain and crew deserve a big fat New Year bonus.
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The #MaerskHangzhou was struck by a missile at around 1730 GMT on Dec 30 about 100km south-west of Al Hodeidah, #Yemen. Then a US warship shot down another two anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Later at around 0330 GMT on Dec 31, the same ship was attacked by #Houthi rebels in four small boats. #Israel #Iran

#Maersk pauses #RedSea sailings
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/maersk-pauses-red-sea-sailings-after-houthi-attack-on-container-ship

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More details on the Houthi attacks on the #MaerskHangzhou container ship. #Iran #Israel

U.S. forces killed boat crews in a Houthi ship attack in the Red Sea : NPR
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/31/1222339528/u-s-forces-say-they-killed-the-boat-crews-in-a-houthi-ship-attack-in-the-red-sea

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The warning comes after the #US military said four boats from #Houthi-controlled areas in #Yemen fired at the #MaerskHangzhou and came within metres of the vessel as US helicopters fired back. #Iran #Israel #Gaza

#Britain ‘considering airstrikes’ on Houthi rebels after Red Sea attacks | Middle East and north Africa | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/31/britain-considering-airstrikes-on-houthi-rebels-after-red-sea-attacks

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#Iran confirms deploying warship to #RedSea as tensions rise

Iranian state media confirmed #Tehran sent a warship to the Red Sea as the area rapidly militarises.

The #IRISAlborz , part of the 94th Naval Fleet of the Iranian army, travelled through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait near #Yemen to arrive at the Red Sea. #Israel #Houthi #Gaza

source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/1/israel-hamas-war-live-new-year-in-gaza-under-non-stop-israeli-bombardment

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In 2020 #Iran's frigate warship, the #IRISAlborz, was upgraded with new indigenously developed combat systems including an improved fire control system (FCS) and an electronic warfare system (EWS).

It's almost certain the #Houthis asked for backup after #US combat helicopters sank three Houthi raider boats attacking the #MaerskHangzhou in the #RedSea. #Israel

source: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iranian-navy-upgrades-alborz-frigate-with-new-combat-systems

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Under the plan, originally proposed by #Nicosia last month, ships would travel to #Cyprus for security checks before heading 370 kilometers to #Gaza's coast in a route that would avoid Egyptian or Israeli borders.

#Israel green-lights Cypriot aid plan for #Palestinians as military pounds Gaza – POLITICO
https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-green-lights-cypriot-aid-plan-for-palestinians-as-military-pounds-central-gaza/

After the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by #Hamas, #Netanyahu suspended efforts to change the country's judiciary.

On Monday, Netanyahu's #Likud party said the ruling was against the will of the people at a time of war.

In landmark ruling, #Israel's #SupremeCourt rejects right-wing changes to judiciary

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/01/1222400537/israel-supreme-court-ruling-judiciary-changes

#Israel will appear at #InternationalCourtOfJustice: Israeli media

Israel “will not boycott” proceedings launched by #SouthAfrica at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi has said, the Israeli news site Ynet is reporting.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/2/israel-hamas-war-live-almost-22000-palestinians-killed-by-israel-in-gaza

TEL AVIV — Israel says five of its military brigades, including many reservists, will be withdrawing from the #GazaStrip this week in an effort to pace itself for an expected long-term conflict and to mitigate damage to Israel’s economy.

#Israel withdrawing some units from #Gaza
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-withdrawing-units-gaza-rcna131800

“I don’t think he has the ability [to respond]" , says Amit Segal, chief political analyst at #Israel’s Channel 12. “Prior to the war, his allies (far-right ministers, Itamar) Ben Gvir, and (Bezalel) Smotrich would have demanded him to do so and dragged him to do it. Now they can’t because it’s a war and after the war, I think it will be the least of his problems.”

Israel’s #SupremeCourt deals huge blow to #Netanyahu, but one he may have to swallow | CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/02/middleeast/israels-supreme-court-analysis-intl/index.html

Officials say four people were killed in the attack, including a “senior #Palestinian official”, Reuters reports, quoting two unnamed security sources. The Associated Press, citing #Hezbollah TV, named the person as “top #Hamas official #SalehArouri” #Israel #Lebanon

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/02/israel-gaza-war-live-israeli-military-kills-four-alleged-palestinian-militants-in-west-bank-idf-says?page=with:block-65943a318f08f167df68dffd#block-65943a318f08f167df68dffd

#Hamas confirms deputy head killed in reported Israeli #DroneStrike

An Israeli drone strike killed the deputy head of Hamas, #SalehAlArouri, in #Beirut, reports on Tuesday said. His death, which was confirmed by a Hamas radio station, would be a significant blow to the group in #Gaza #Israel #Lebanon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/02/israel-gaza-war-live-israeli-military-kills-four-alleged-palestinian-militants-in-west-bank-idf-says?page=with:block-65943e088f0892175dae604b#block-65943e088f0892175dae604b

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Who was Saleh al-Arouri?

The death of #Hamas’s deputy leader, #SalehAlArouri, in a reported drone strike in #Beirut on Tuesday is a significant victory for the #Israel Defense Forces as the military campaign against the group in Hamas continues.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/02/israel-gaza-war-live-israeli-military-kills-four-alleged-palestinian-militants-in-west-bank-idf-says?page=with:block-659442918f083d1e9a9aeb87#block-659442918f083d1e9a9aeb87

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Witness reports spoke of two explosions 15 minutes apart in the south-central city of #Kerman tearing into the crowds that had gathered to mark the death of #Suleimani, once regarded as the most powerful figure in the Middle East, and responsible for extending Iranian influence in #Lebanon, #Syria and #Iraq.

Almost 100 dead in blasts at #Iran memorial for assassinated commander | Iran | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/03/dead-in-blasts-at-memorial-for-assassinated-iranian-commander

Crack legal teams are being assembled, countries are issuing statements in support of #SouthAfrica, and #Israel has said it will defend itself in court, reversing a decades-old policy of boycotting the #UN’s top court and its 15 elected judges.

The first hearing in #TheHague is set for 11 and 12 January.

Stakes high as South Africa brings claim of genocidal intent against Israel | #ICC | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/04/stakes-high-as-south-africa-brings-claim-of-genocidal-intent-against-israel

At least 84 people died when two blasts ripped through the crowd near #Suleimani’s tomb in the city of #Kerman, four years after he was killed by a US drone strike in #Baghdad. Suleimani had been a staunch enemy of IS, which resents the damage he did to its cause in #Iraq and #Syria. #ISIS #Israel

#IslamicState claims responsibility for Iran bombings that killed at least 84
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/04/iran-kerman-attack-islamic-state-suspicion-border-afghanistan-pakistan

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The ship sent a message on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations portal, saying five to six unknown armed personnel had boarded on Thursday evening, the statement said.

At least 15 Indian crew members were on board the #MVLilaNorfolk, which was hijacked near #Somalia’s coast. #Houthi #Israel

#India navy says responding to Liberian-flagged vessel hijack in #ArabianSea | Shipping News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/5/india-navy-says-responding-to-liberian-flagged-vessel-hijack-in-arabian-sea?traffic_source=rss&utm_source=press.coop

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Wow, if our own secretary of defense tried this stunt he'd be fired and out a job by morning 🙄
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Under the plan, #Israel’s war in the territory would continue until it had secured the return of the #hostages taken on 7 October, dismantled #Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and removed any remaining military threats.

Gallant unveiled the plan to the press before submitting it to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, #PostWarGaza

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/05/israel-defence-minister-yoav-gallant-gaza-plan-after-war-hamas-palestine-control-antony-blinken-visit

The commander-in-chief of #Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said at the funeral on Friday for the victims of twin #IslamicState bombings two days earlier that their deaths would be avenged. #IRGC #KermanBombing #IsraelGazaWar
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-6597b2b88f0825b4df60e6ce#block-6597b2b88f0825b4df60e6ce

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#Iraq #IsraelGazaWar #Israel

image source : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-6597c4a08f082ac94d424b25#block-6597c4a08f082ac94d424b25

#Teheran - Iranian President #EbrahimRaisi joined mourners in #Kerman on Jan 5 for the funerals of the 89 people killed in twin blasts claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (#ISIS) group, state media said. Despite the claim of responsibility by ISIS, Iranian officials have continued to suggest #Israel's and #US involvement. #KermanBombing

Iran lays to rest victims of Islamic State twin bombings | The Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-lays-to-rest-victims-of-isis-twin-bombings

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#Iran #KermanBombing #IslamicState #Israel

image source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-659830ec8f08d8e96baf7ef8#block-659830ec8f08d8e96baf7ef8

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In a second nationally televised address within three days, #Nasrallah said that all of #Lebanon would be “exposed” if there was no response from his group to the killing of #SalehAlArouri, further heightening fears of a dangerous escalation in the conflict, even as #Israel warned its military was ready for any eventuality. #Hezbollah

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-6598409e8f08640ae963aac6#block-6598409e8f08640ae963aac6

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About 90% of #children under the age of two are consuming two or fewer food groups, #UNICEF said in a statement on Friday.

Most families said their children are only getting grains – including bread – or milk, which would meet the definition of severe #FoodPoverty, it said. #Gaza #Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-65983e518f08640ae963aab1#block-65983e518f08640ae963aab1

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#SalehAlArouri’s assassination took place in the #Hezbollah stronghold of #Beirut’s southern suburbs, even as the group has attempted to pursue a policy of supporting #Hamas in #Gaza while stopping short of triggering its own major war with #Israel.

Friday’s comments by Hezbollah’s head, #HassanNasrallah, were, however, more forceful than those made earlier this week.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-659842d18f08d8e96baf7fef#block-659842d18f08d8e96baf7fef

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#India’s navy said its commandos have rescued all crew members from a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the #ArabianSea, and that it had not found any pirates on board.

The subcontinent’s navy said on Friday that 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were rescued from the #MVLilaNorfolk after they intercepted the vessel. #Israel

Indian navy intercepts ship, rescues crew after Arabian Sea hijack attempt
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/5/india-navy-says-responding-to-liberian-flagged-vessel-hijack-in-arabian-sea

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The #US learned that the terror group #IslamicState (IS) was behind Wednesday’s twin bomb attacks in Iran that killed dozens from “communications intercepts”, Reuters is reporting. #KermanBombing #Iran #Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/05/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-antony-blinken-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas?page=with:block-659852928f08d8e96baf80ca#block-659852928f08d8e96baf80ca

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Families of captives arrive in #Qatar for meeting with prime minister

#Israel #Hamas

The The US secretary of state, #AntonyBlinken, arrived in #Istanbul late on Friday for the first leg of a trip that includes visits to #Israel and #WestBank, along with five Arab states.

Blinken’s fourth crisis tour since the start of the Israel-Hamas war three months ago comes with fears mounting that the conflict will engulf swathes of the #MiddleEast.

Blinken to discuss #Gaza with #Erdoğan
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/06/middle-east-crisis-israel-gaza-war-hamas-us-blinken-trip-erdogan?page=with:block-6598e21c8f08640ae963af69#block-6598e21c8f08640ae963af69

#Israel #Gaza #Iran

The dramatic first week of 2024 has tipped the scale towards those who say the daily diet of #DroneStrikes, #assassinations and #MaritimeAssaults will at some point combust into a major war across the #MiddleEast.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/06/middle-east-crisis-israel-gaza-war-hamas-us-blinken-trip-erdogan?page=with:block-659914588f08640ae963b01f#block-659914588f08640ae963b01f

#US Secretary of State #AntonyBlinken and the #EuropeanUnion’s senior diplomat #JosepBorrell were both in the region on separate diplomatic missions to stop the three-month-old #Gaza war spilling over into #Lebanon, the Israeli-occupied #WestBank, and #RedSea shipping lanes. #Israel

Israel, #Hezbollah exchange fire across Lebanon border amid alarm over Gaza war spillover
https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/israel-war-hamas-updates-january-6-2024/

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