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
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
#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
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
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.
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
#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
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
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
Attached: 1 image 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
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
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
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
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
#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
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
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
#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.
#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
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
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
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/
Back toot Lebanon: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111704677918351651
#MetroManila (CNN #Philippines, January 6) — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday confirmed the safety of six #Filipino crew members on board the #MVNilaNorfolk after an attempted hijacking in the North #ArabianSea. #India #Israel
6 Pinoy seafarers safe after attempted hijacking of ship in North Arabia Sea
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/6/6-Pinoy-seafarers-safe-after-attempted-hijacking.html
Judging from the positive outcome of this meeting, I'm going to assume that the discussion on the other items on the table (ie. #F16's for #Turkey, #Sweden's #NATO membership) also went well. #Israel #Erdoğan
Turkey to play 'productive' role in postwar #Gaza, #Blinken says
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240106-%F0%9F%94%B4-live-israel-bombing-of-gaza-continues-despite-un-warnings-that-territory-is-uninhabitable
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continued on Saturday despite UN warnings that the Palestinian territory has become "uninhabitable" after three months of fighting that threatens to engulf the wider region. Israeli strikes were reported on Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge from the fighting. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.
This is video footage of the aftermath of the fatal Israeli airstrike on a car carrying two journalists in southern #Gaza.
Al Jazeera journalist #HamzaAlDahdouh and #MustafaThuria, a video stringer for AFP, were killed when their car was struck driving between #Rafah and #KhanYounis.
Hamza’s father, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, #WaelAlDahdouh, holds his late son’s hand. His wife, two other children and a grandson were killed by a separate earlier airstrike. #Israel
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/07/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-west-bank-jenin-palestinian-ministry-latest-updates?page=with:block-659aad818f08640ae963b883#block-659aad818f08640ae963b883
Under the #ICJ’s rules a state that does not have a judge of its nationality already on the bench can choose an ad hoc judge to sit in their case. #TheHague
#Israel names former supreme court president #AharonBarak to ICJ panel ahead of #SouthAfrica's #genocide case hearing
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/07/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-west-bank-jenin-palestinian-ministry-latest-updates?page=with:block-659ac87d8f08640ae963b92e#block-659ac87d8f08640ae963b92e
Here's the backstory of #IsraelInTheHague
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Top officials in the #IsraelDefenseForces and Israeli government have reportedly been warned by a top legal expert that the #InternationalCourtOfJustice could issue an injunction requiring the country to halt its bombardment of #Gaza, following a motion filed by #SouthAfrica last week. #Israel
As Death Toll in Gaza Rises, Israeli Officials Fear Possible #Genocide Charges at #ICJ
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-icj-genocide
"In general, it's hard to prove an intention of genocide because no public statements to that effect are made during the fighting," said one expert. "But these irresponsible statements about erasing Gaza will require Israel to explain why they don't reflect such an intention."
“The levels of #hunger are quite severe in #Gaza. From #Rafah to the north, it gets worse, the farther north you go. We’re making a concerted effort to try to import more food into Gaza and make sure it gets to people in need, including the 1.4 million people in the Rafah governorate." - Scott Anderson, UNRWA’s Gaza deputy director
#UNRWA in 'life-saving' mode in Gaza as #HumanitarianCrisis deteriorates
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/07/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-west-bank-jenin-palestinian-ministry-latest-updates?page=with:block-659ad5498f08640ae963b98e#block-659ad5498f08640ae963b98e
#SouthAfrica’s lawsuit seeking a halt to the Israeli assault on #Gaza comes after years of deteriorating relations rooted in the #ANC’s decades-long support for the #PalestinianCause and the legacy of #Israel’s close military alliance with the #apartheid regime during some of the most oppressive years of white rule. #TheHague #ICJ
How apartheid history shaped South Africa’s #genocide case against Israel
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/08/south-africa-genocide-case-israel-apartheid-history
Why it matters: MBZ's refusal underscores the position of many Arab countries that have said they won't foot the bill to maintain the status quo in the #WestBank and #Gaza after the war.
"The notion that Arab countries will come in to rebuild and pay the bill for what's currently happening is wishful thinking," an Emirati official told Axios.
#UAE rebuffs #Israel's #Netanyahu over #Palestinian workers' pay: "Ask Zelensky"
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/08/netanyahu-uae-mbz-zelensky-palestinians-unemployment
#Fixers with alleged links to Egyptian intelligence are making a fortune in ‘fees’ from people hoping to exit through the #RafahCrossing. #Egypt, a key regional player in negotiations on #Gaza, has long resisted opening the Rafah crossing, fearing that millions of people would flee into the neighbouring Sinai peninsula. #Israel
#Palestinians desperate to flee Gaza pay thousands in bribes to ‘brokers’ | Global development | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/jan/08/palestinians-flee-gaza-rafah-egypt-border-bribes-to-brokers
Expressing concern that the war between #Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group #Hamas in the #GazaStrip could spread in the wider #Middle East, he called for a “ceasefire on every front, including #Lebanon”.
'Indiscriminately striking' civilians is #WarCrime, #PopeFrancis says in major speech
https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/indiscriminately-striking-civilians-war-crime-pope-francis/
A variety of metal tubes and components as well as shell casings were stacked in an overground workshop area, while in another area, long metal racks holding missiles could be seen, with an elevator leading down into the tunnel. #Gaza #Israel #Hamas.
Israeli forces say they locate large underground #WeaponsFactory in Gaza
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israeli-forces-say-they-locate-large-underground-weapons-factory-in-gaza/ar-AA1mEMYw?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
#Jordan's army has stepped up a campaign against #DrugDealers after clashes last month with dozens of people suspected of links to pro-Iranian #militias, who were carrying large hauls over its border with #Syria along with weapons and explosives.
Jordan and its Western allies have blamed #Lebanon-based #Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia as being behind the surge in smuggling. #captagon #Assad #Israel
Jordanian jets strike #Iran-linked drug dealers inside Syria
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-781341
Just wanted to comment that #Jordan's air force and it's pilots have always been top notch (the late King Hussein was an avid pilot). Which was why Jordanian air fields were among #Israel's primary targets in the 1967 Six Day war.
My guess is that US & Israeli intel helped guide the airstrikes on #Syria' s #captagon drug warehouses.
Attached: 1 image #Jordan's army has stepped up a campaign against #DrugDealers after clashes last month with dozens of people suspected of links to pro-Iranian #militias, who were carrying large hauls over its border with #Syria along with weapons and explosives. Jordan and its Western allies have blamed #Lebanon-based #Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia as being behind the surge in smuggling. #captagon #Israel Jordanian jets strike Iran-linked drug dealers inside Syria https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-781341
Backstory on #Syria's multi-billion #captagon drug trade via a June 2023 BBC article. Captagon is a highly addictive #amphetamine-like drug that has plagued the #MiddleEast in recent years and has now spread to #Europe, #Africa and #Asia. #AssadRegime #Hezbollah #Israel
Syria: New Captagon drug trade link to top officials found - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66002450
#WaelAlDahdouh is one of the most well-known faces in #Gaza — and he has become a symbol of the embattled territory’s calamity.
#Israel’s #GazaWar leads to a massacre of #journalists
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/09/gaza-journalist-killed-israel-dahdouh/
Dr Ng said #Singapore is contributing to the coalition operation in the #RedSea – launched by the #US on Dec 19, 2023 – as it aligns with the three principles of maritime security cooperation that the Republic articulated at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2005 when the #MalaccaStrait and #SingaporeStrait were threatened by #piracy and sea robbery. #Houthi #Israel
SAF to participate in multinational military operation to keep #RedSea safe
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/saf-to-participate-in-multinational-military-operation-to-keep-red-sea-safe
#Hezbollah said that it had targeted the “enemy’s northern command centre in the city of #Safed with several drones” in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah field commander #WissamAlTawil in #Lebanon on Monday, as well as an attack on #Hamas’s deputy leader #SalehAlArouri in #Beirut last week.
‘Brink of war’: Hezbollah-#Israel trade further strikes across border | News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/9/brink-of-war-hezbollah-israel-trade-strikes-as-fear-of-escalation-rises
“More children have died in #Gaza than in all other conflicts around the world this past year,” Abdullah said according to the speech which was carried on state media. “Of those who have survived, many have lost one or both parents — an entire generation of orphans.”
British surgeon says Gaza ‘beyond worst thing’ he’s seen, as #Jordan’s king warns #Israel creating a ‘generation of orphans’ | CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/09/middleeast/gaza-orphan-british-doctor-jordan-king-intl-hnk/index.html
The international criminal court (#ICC) has confirmed it is investigating potential crimes against #journalists since the outbreak of war between #Israel and #Hamas, according to #ReportersWithoutBorders (RSF). #TheHague
Blinken told Netanyahu IDF must avoid inflicting further harm on civilians in Gaza; Hamas chief calls on Muslim states to provide militants with weapons
In three months, according to figures released last week by the International Organization for Migration, about 76,000 people have been driven from southern #Lebanon.
Local authorities in #Tyre, a pretty seaside city with ancient ruins, are registering between 200 and 300 newly displaced people each day. #Hezbollah #Israel #Gaza
‘Everyone is leaving’: bombardments drive tens of thousands from southern Lebanon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/everyone-is-leaving-bombardments-drive-tens-of-thousands-from-southern-lebanon
US Secretary of State #AntonyBlinken urges Israel to support Palestinian leaders willing to live peacefully alongside Israelis and warned the daily toll in its war with #Hamas in #Gaza was far too high. #Israel
Top US diplomat urges Israel to make hard choices, work with #Palestinians
https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/israel-war-hamas-updates-january-10-2024/
After months of all-out war to root out #Hamas' brutality has drawn #Israel into what looks like a no-win situation, a war in which it is trying to destroy the militant group but can't keep up the same pressure without backlash over the devastation it brings. #Gaza
Israel's military is facing a no-win situation
https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-no-win-situation-gaza-after-months-war-crush-hamas-2024-1
A legal hearing into the war in #Gaza has opened in #TheHague, as the international court of justice (#ICJ) hears arguments alleging that #Israel is committing genocide of #Palestinians.
Middle East crisis live: #SouthAfrica’s genocide case against Israel over war in Gaza opens in The Hague
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/11/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestine-south-africa-genocide-case-icj?page=with%3Ablock-659fa0728f08b223cc64ceaa#block-659fa0728f08b223cc64ceaa
Israel has described the case as “preposterous” and is set to defend itself; the Israeli military is focusing its operations on the southern city of Khan Younis and refugee camps in central Gaza
This is #Russia's back yard 🤔
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#Iran has arrested 35 people in relation to the 3 January attacks in the south-eastern city of #Kerman, its intelligence ministry has said.
Citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Reuters reports that the ministry said it had identified one of the two suicide bombers as a national of #Tajikistan, who entered Iran illegally on 19 December. #KermanBombing #CentralAsia #Israel
While the security firm Ambrey did not name the vessel, shipping tracking service TankerTrackers said the vessel was the #StNikolas, which in 2023 had been seized by the #US in a sanctions enforcement operation under a different name, #SuezRajan.
The tanker's AIS tracking system was turned off as it headed in the direction of the Iranian port of Bandar e-Jask. #Iran #US #Israel #ArabianSea
@skua I better put in the right paragraph to make it clear that this part of the factory was above ground. The original one was indeed misleading.
Replacing the original with this:
"A variety of metal tubes and components as well as shell casings were stacked in an overground workshop area, while in another area, long metal racks holding missiles could be seen, with an elevator leading down into the tunnel."
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social
mike805
A Cidade Branca
skua