Tehran's hidden message: Why an Iranian official visited war-struck Beirut - analysis

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf piloted a plane that flew to Lebanon on Saturday.

The trip is important for a variety of reasons. First of all it is symbolically important that the Iranian felt comfortable flying into Beirut despite the war and the recent deaths of several Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members over the last year. In addition, his decision to fly the plane himself on part of the trip showcased a kind of bravado and Iranian attempt to grab headlines in the region.

Qalibaf arrived in Beirut on Saturday morning and met with Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is the head of Amal and has also spoken to US officials in the past, meaning he is a kind of key powerbroker in Lebanon now. He is a power broker because he is Shi’ite and can thus also speak on Hezbollah’s behalf when speaking to the West. When he speaks to Iran, he does so as a key component of Lebanon’s parliament. Lebanon does not have a president, which has meant that more spotlight falls on Berri and also Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Iranian state media noted that “Qalibaf is the second Iranian official to visit Lebanon since Israel started its intense airstrikes on the Arab country late last month. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Lebanon on October 4 for talks with top officials there.” The same report notes that Berri is heading for Geneva “where he is scheduled to attend the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) taking place on October 13-17.”

Qalibaf said Iran is ready to aid Lebanon. “He said that he has conveyed the message of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to the people of Lebanon,” Iran’s state media noted. He also toured areas that had been bombed in Beirut. READ MORE

US may send Israel THAAD missile defense, as Iran seeks to ward off Israeli retaliation

The US is mulling sending Israel an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system operated by American troops to protect the country in case of an Iranian reaction to an expected Israeli reprisal attack, an US official said Saturday.

Israel has vowed to respond after Iran lobbed some 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, with the US seeking to coordinate with Jerusalem and temper its retaliation. A weekend report indicated that US officials think Israel has narrowed down its list of possible targets.

With Iran saying it will reply to any retaliatory action in kind, reports in Hebrew-language media over the weekend claimed that Washington was set to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense batteries to beef up Israel’s ability to fend off ballistic missiles, which Tehran’s proxies have also launched at Israel in recent months.

A US official speaking to The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity confirmed US President Joe Biden’s administration was considering transferring the systems to Israel, but said no decision had been made yet.

The US has a wide range of missile defense systems arrayed across the Middle East and Europe, including Patriot systems. Officials have been discussing for months what types of air defense systems to deploy to the region and where to put them. Any move of a THAAD to Israel would involve the deployment of soldiers to operate the complex system. READ MORE

US urges Israel to quickly pivot from military offensive to diplomacy in Lebanon

The US on Sunday urged Israel to shift focus from its military offensive in southern Lebanon to a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, while France called on Hezbollah to stop its rocket fire on Israel and accept a ceasefire.

The diplomatic pressure came as Hezbollah fired more than 300 missiles, rockets and drones at Israel over Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, which ended at nightfall Saturday.

Meanwhile, Israel pushed forward with its military offensive in southern Lebanon, amid mounting international criticism over several incidents where UN peacekeepers were hit.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during which he “reinforced the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible,” according to the Pentagon statement released early Sunday.

The US readout said that Austin expressed “deep concern” about reports that Israeli forces had fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon in recent days and urged Israel to ensure safety for them and the Lebanese military. READ MORE

Austin to Gallant: Israel needs to pivot to diplomatic pathway in Lebanon

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday and “expressed his deep concern about reports that Israeli forces fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon as well as by the reported death of two Lebanese soldiers,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement summarizing the call.

“The Secretary strongly emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and Lebanese Armed Forces and reinforced the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible,” the statement added.

“Secretary Austin also raised the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed that steps must be taken to address it. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' unwavering, enduring, and ironclad commitment to Israel's security,” the Pentagon said.

Finally, Austin “acknowledged Yom Kippur and the need to bring back all hostages to their families as soon as possible.”

The conversation came a day after the IDF said its forces fired at a threat near a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon, and acknowledged that the post was hit, wounding two UNIFIL personnel.

The IDF noted that, “hours before the incident, the IDF instructed UNIFIL personnel to enter into protected spaces and remain there. This instruction was in place at the time of the incident.”

“The IDF is in contact with UNIFIL for coordination purposes and will continue to do so. The IDF is continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident.”

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization deliberately operates with the intent to harm Israeli civilians from civilian areas and near UNIFIL posts, thereby endangering UNIFIL personnel,” said the IDF.

Friday’s incident marks the second time in two days that UNIFIL has said that its personnel were hit by Israeli fire.

UNIFIL has asserted that the attacks were deliberate, with some UNIFIL officials claiming that Israel seeks to drive the UN out of Lebanon.

A US National Security Council spokesperson commented on Thursday’s incident, saying, "We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens. While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security. We reached out immediately to our Israeli counterparts about it and pressed them for more details."

UNIFIL, which acts as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel and operates near the border, works to implement Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and which has been repeatedly violated by Hezbollah. Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

Report: Israel will not attack Iran's nuclear sites

American officials believe Israel has narrowed down the list of targets it will strike in retaliation for Iran's massive ballistic missile attack two weeks ago and will not strike any of Iran's nuclear facilities, NBC News reported.

According to the report, Israel is planning to strike Iranian military and energy infrastructure sites. However, a final decision on which sites to strike has not yet been made.

On October 1, Iran launched 181 ballistic missiles at Israel in the largest ballistic missile attack in history. The vast majority of the missiles were intercepted, though the attack sent millions of Israelis into bomb shelters.

US President Joe Biden has stated or hinted at his opposition to Israel striking Iran's nuclear facilities or fields. The day after Iran's attack, Biden stated, “The answer is no," in response to a reporter's question about whether he would support an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites. He added that while Israel has the right to respond to the attack, it should do so “proportionally” without elaborating on what that means.

At another press briefing, Biden stated, "If I were in their shoes, I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oilfields."

Sources have told CNN that Tehran is "extremely nervous and has been engaging in urgent diplomatic efforts with countries in the Middle East" to determine whether it is possible to either reduce the scope of Israel's response, or to garner aid in protecting Tehran.

The source added that Iran is very concerned about Israel's relation due to the "uncertainty about whether the US can convince Israel not to strike Iranian nuclear sites and oil facilities," as well as from the blows that Hezbollah, Iran's most powerful proxy in the Middle East, has sustained in Israel's operation in southern Lebanon. Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

240 terror targets in Gaza and Lebanon struck in last day

Overnight, the 36th Division continued its limited, localized, and targeted operational activity in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah terror targets and terrorist infrastructure in the area. As part of the activity, the IAF struck Hezbollah launchers, anti-tank missile posts, weapons storage facilities, and additional terror targets.

The IDF stated that troops continue to operate in southern Lebanon to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. Over the past day, the troops eliminated dozens of terrorists, exposed tunnel shafts, and located numerous weapons including launchers, anti-tank missiles, munitions, and more.

Over the past day, the IAF has struck approximately 200 Hezbollah targets deep in Lebanon and southern Lebanon, including terrorist cells, launchers, anti-tank missile posts, and terrorist infrastructure sites.

Simultaneously, the IDF stated, over the past day, IDF troops continued to operate throughout the Gaza Strip and have struck approximately 40 terror targets and eliminated dozens of terrorists.

In the area of Jabaliya, IDF troops struck the launcher from which projectiles were fired toward the area of Ashkelon yesterday (Saturday).

In addition, over the past day, the troops eliminated dozens of terrorists and located explosives, grenades, and additional weapons in the area.

Furthermore, IDF operational activity continues in southern Gaza. Over the past day, the troops eliminated a number of armed terrorists, and they identified and eliminated a terrorist cell armed with an RPG adjacent to the troops operating in the area by means of an IAF aircraft. WATCH

Netanyahu to UN chief: 'Get UNIFIL forces out of Hezbollah strongholds right now'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Sunday) addressed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with a call to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers from Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

"We are marking one year of the harsh war that was forced on us – the war of redemption against Iran's axis of evil, which has risen up to destroy us. We are more determined than ever to ensure our future; we are more determined than ever to defeat our enemies," Netanyahu said.

"In Lebanon: We eliminated Nasrallah and his senior personnel. Our heroic soldiers are destroying Hezbollah's weapons, command centers and terrorist tunnels. They are fighting forcefully to return our residents in the north safely to their homes. We are not fighting the Lebanese people, we are fighting Iran's terrorist proxy Hezbollah, which has occupied Lebanon," he added.

Netanyahu continued, "I would like to appeal directly to the UN Secretary General: The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones. The IDF has requested this repeatedly and has met with repeated refusal, which has the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields. Your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers has turned them into hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers."

"We regret the harm to UNIFIL soldiers and we are doing our utmost to prevent such harm. But the simplest and most obvious way to ensure this is simply to withdraw them from the danger zone," he said.

He added in an appeal in English, "Mr. Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm's way. It should be done right now, immediately."

Netanyahu then continued in Hebrew, "Unfortunately, several European leaders are applying pressure in the wrong place. Instead of criticizing Israel, they need to direct their criticism at Hezbollah, which is using UNIFIL as a human shield, just as Hamas in Gaza is using UNRWA as a human shield."

"In Gaza: We are continuing to operate deep in the territory in order to eliminate Hamas and bring about the release of our hostages. Our brave soldiers are now in the heart of Jabalya where they are dismantling Hamas's strongholds," he said,

Netanyahu stated, "The 101 of our hostages who are in Gaza have always been our chief concern. We will do everything to bring them, all of them, back home, the living and the deceased. In Judea and Samaria: Our forces are acting without respite on the ground and in the air to thwart terrorism. The terrorism there will not win because we will not allow it to. In other arenas: We will continue to take action to ensure Israel's security.

"There are moments during the war when one simple rule must be adhered to, and I request that all ministers adhere to this rule: Say little and do much. With G-d's help, we will do this and we will succeed," Netanyahu concluded. Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

Moscow expands ties with Tehran, as Israel weighs retaliatory strike on Iran

Moscow and Tehran are expanding their ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, as Israel continued to weigh a retaliatory military strike on the Islamic Republic.

"We actively work together in the international arena, and our assessments of current events in the world are often very close," Putin told Pezeshkian, according to the TASS news agency, as the two men met in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat.

Pezeshkian, according to IRNA, noted that Iran and Russia had significant complementary capacities and could assist each other. "Our positions in the world are much closer to each other than to others," he was quoted as telling the Russian leader.

Putin was cited by TASS as telling Pezeshkian that economic ties between Moscow and Tehran were on the up. Tehran has deepened its cooperation with Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, particularly with respect to military weapons, including ballistic missiles and armed drones.

The European Union plans to designate individuals or organizations for sanctions over the Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, a high-ranking EU official said on Friday. READ MORE

The IDF says it intercepted two rockets over the Haifa area a short time ago.

 

The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they happen.

3min ago

Some 35 rockets fired in barrage that triggered sirens in Acre and surrounding communities, IDF says

Some 35 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel a short time ago, the Israel Defense Forces says.

The military says some of the rockets were intercepted.

The barrage triggered sirens in Acre and the surrounding communities.

2hr ago

IDF intercepts 2 rockets over Haifa area

The IDF says it intercepted two rockets over the Haifa area a short time ago.

3hr ago

Some 30 rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon; no casualties

The army says some 30 rockets were launched at Israel from Lebanon in the past hour. There are no reports of damage or casualties.

3hr ago

Rocket sirens sound in several northern communities

Rocket sirens are sounding in Metula, Kfar Giladi and a number of other northern communities.

Gallant and Austin discussed retaliation against Iran in Thursday phone call

The Pentagon on Friday published a readout summarizing a call which took place on Thursday between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

“The Secretary reaffirmed ironclad support for Israel's right to defend itself and reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic arrangement that safely returns both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. Secretary Austin also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of UNIFIL forces in the area and urged coordinating efforts to pivot from military operations to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible. They also discussed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Secretary called for urgent steps to address it,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Austin “made clear that the United States is well postured to defend US personnel, partners, and allies against attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to preventing any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region,” added Ryder.

Sources with knowledge of Thursday’s call told Barak Ravid of Axios that, during the call, Gallant briefed Austin on the Israeli cabinet meeting and discussed the Israeli plans for retaliation against Iran over its ballistic missile attack on the Jewish state last week.

On Thursday, three US and Israeli officials told Axios that US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have inched closer to an agreement regarding Israel's planned retaliation against Iran following their call a day earlier.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that Israel's current plans are still somewhat more aggressive than what the White House prefers.

However, a US official noted that "we are moving in the right direction" after the Biden-Netanyahu conversation, and another US official added that the administration felt slightly less anxious about Israel's plans after the call.

Biden stated last week that he opposes an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

“The answer is no,” Biden said when questioned about the prospect of Israel launching a retaliatory strike on sites related to Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Two days later, Biden said he would weigh "alternatives" to striking Iran's oil fields, a move which would devastate Iran's economy, if he were in Israel's place.

"If I were in their shoes, I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oilfields," the President stated. Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

Macron: Ending arms exports to Israel is the only way to stop fighting

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that "stopping the export of weapons" used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end fighting there.

"We all know it. It's the unique lever that would end it," Macron said at a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Cyprus, as quoted by the AFP news agency.

Macron also claimed that Israel was “deliberately targeting” UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon and said this was "absolutely unacceptable".

His comments come a day after UNIFIL claimed that its personnel were hit by Israeli fire.

A second incident occurred on Friday, with the IDF saying its forces fired at a threat near a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon, and acknowledged that the post was hit, wounding two UNIFIL personnel.

“Hours before the incident, the IDF instructed UNIFIL personnel to enter into protected spaces and remain there. This instruction was in place at the time of the incident,” the IDF said in a statement.

“The IDF is in contact with UNIFIL for coordination purposes and will continue to do so. The IDF is continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident.”

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization deliberately operates with the intent to harm Israeli civilians from civilian areas and near UNIFIL posts, thereby endangering UNIFIL personnel,” said the IDF.

Friday’s comments are the latest criticism voiced by Macron of Israel.

In August, Macron told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "avoid a cycle of reprisals" in the Middle East in a conversation which took place following the eliminations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

Previously, Macron spoke to Netanyahu and urged him to prevent a "conflagration" between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In late September, Macron called on the United States to pressure Israel to accept the plan that he and US President Joe Biden proposed for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

Friday’s comments are also the second time in a week that Macron has called for a halt on arms deliveries to Israel. Netanyahu responded to Macron last week and said, "As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet President Macron and other western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel."

"Shame on them. Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace!" he added.

He promised, "Israel will win with or without their support. But their shame will continue long after the war is won."

Macron’s office later responded to Netanyahu and reiterated that France is a "steadfast friend of Israel".

The statement also described Netanyahu's reaction as "excessive and detached from the friendship between France and Israel". Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

Calls for intervention: Will Iran send forces to aid Hezbollah against Israel? - analysis

In the Iranian media discourse since the assassination of Nasrallah, initiatives from various factions have emerged, calling for the deployment of forces to support Hezbollah’s fight against Israel.

The Iranian regime appears to be blocking these initiatives, likely because it recognizes that the damage from such a move would outweigh the potential benefits.

But the question remains: Will Iran send forces to Lebanon to fight against Israel?

The ideological and emotional connection with Nasrallah

Since the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, along with Quds Force Commander in Lebanon Abbas Nilforoushan, on September 27, initiatives have surfaced within the Iranian regime and its supporters, calling for the Islamic Republic to send volunteer forces to Lebanon to aid Hezbollah in its time of crisis.

The unprecedented blows Israel has dealt to Hezbollah not only place the terrorist organization in a difficult situation but also create a problematic scenario for Iran. READ MORE

A dissident in Iran awaits Israeli reprisal: ‘There’s a very real fear of all-out war’

Ever since Iran attacked Israel with ballistic missiles on October 1, and Israel vowed to retaliate, Iranians have been waiting with bated breath. The timing and location of the Israeli strike remain unknown, adding to the anxiety across the country. The waiting has been excruciating for many.

“There are some sadistic journalists in Iran who keep sounding the alarm, claiming that an Israeli attack is imminent, maybe within hours. For the past few nights, I’ve made the terrible mistake of opening Twitter before bed, only to see posts from these ridiculous reporters claiming the attack is about to happen. After that, I can’t sleep – I just lie there, wide awake until 6 a.m., waiting for something to happen,” said Leila (not her real name).

An Iranian woman in her late 30s, Leila lives in Isfahan, a city in central Iran, approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of Tehran.

Six days after the Islamic Republic’s first large-scale missile and drone assault on Israel on April 13, the IDF struck a radar for an air defense battery in Isfahan that provided cover for the nearby underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. The strike was intended to demonstrate Israel’s ability to penetrate Iran’s air defense systems.

But this time around, the Israeli response is expected to be far more devastating. READ MORE

Finally on the offensive, IDF’s 91st Division slices through Hezbollah’s front lines

Little more than a year ago, Israel faced a dilemma on its northern border, beyond the hovering threat that had occupied its defense leaders for the previous two decades. The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah had erected two tents inside of Israeli territory, which Israel was determined to see removed.

But it was equally determined to avoid a war with Hezbollah, which — Israel assumed — would rain thousands of rockets down on the country every day. Israel was as deterred as it hoped the powerful Iran-backed army was.

The tents remained for months, as Israel rather flaccidly sent a message to Hezbollah through UN peacekeepers asking them to remove the structures. Some officials in Israel pushed for the use of force, but in the end, diplomatic moves combined with vague verbal threats seemed to finally convince Hezbollah to pull back.

Now, after Hamas’s October 7 attacks — and a year of rocket and anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, Israel’s mood has changed dramatically, as has the balance of power. Ten days into the IDF ground operation in Lebanon, it’s hard to fathom that Israel recently treated Hezbollah as an adversary that it needs to tiptoe around.

On Thursday, the IDF for the first time brought Israeli journalists into a village in southern Lebanon, a clear indication that it feels it has asserted operational control over the area. READ MORE

Report | Iran warning US allies: Help Israel and you're next

Tehran is issuing covert diplomatic warnings, threatening to target oil-rich Gulf Arab states and other US allies in the Middle East if their territories or airspace are used for attacks on Iran, Arab officials told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

Israel has threatened harsh retaliation after Iran launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month. Some Israeli officials and commentators are pushing for significant strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure. In response, Iran has warned it will strike Israel’s civilian infrastructure and retaliate against any Arab state involved in facilitating such an attack, the officials told The Wall Street Journal.

The countries threatened by Iran include Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, all of which host US troops, according to the Arab officials. These countries have communicated to the Biden administration that they do not want their military infrastructure or airspace used by the U.S. or Israel for offensive actions against Iran, the officials added.

Although the Iranian threats remain vague, they have alarmed energy-rich Gulf states, which have long believed their oil facilities were shielded by American security guarantees, the Arab officials noted.

US defense officials confirmed that some regional partners have informed the Pentagon they do not want Israeli warplanes flying over their territories or US troops launching offensive actions from their soil. However, they have allowed US forces to conduct self-defense operations, the officials said.

Earlier this week, a senior Iranian official said that Tehran has warned Gulf states that it would be "unacceptable" if they allowed their airspace to be used for actions against Iran, and that any such move would provoke a response.

"Iran made it clear that any action by a Persian Gulf country against Tehran, whether through the use of airspace or military bases, will be regarded by Tehran as an action taken by the entire group, and Tehran will respond accordingly," the senior Iranian official told Reuters.

"The message emphasized the need for regional unity against Israel and the importance of securing stability. It also made clear that any assistance to Israel, such as allowing the use of a regional country’s airspace for actions against Iran, is unacceptable," he added.

US President Joe Biden stated last week that he opposes an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel.

“The answer is no,” Biden said when questioned about the prospect of Israel launching a retaliatory strike on sites related to Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Two days later, Biden said he would weigh "alternatives" to striking Iran's oil fields, a move which would devastate Iran's economy, if he were in Israel's place.

"If I were in their shoes, I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oilfields," Biden said.

On Wednesday, Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call which dealt with the planned Israeli response to the Iranian missile attack.

Three US and Israeli officials told Axios on Thursday that Biden and Netanyahu have inched closer to an agreement regarding Israel's planned retaliation against Iran following the call. Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

White House 'deeply concerned' about Israeli attacks on UNIFIL

A US National Security Council spokesperson commented this morning on an incident in which IDF forces fired towards UNIFIL positions in Lebanon.

"We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens. While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security," said the spokesperson. "We reached out immediately to our Israeli counterparts about it and pressed them for more details."

UNIFIL has claimed multiple instances of Israeli fire damaging UN vehicles, buildings, and electronic equipment. Some of the incidents included the use of tank shells. An Israeli drone was allegedly spotted scouting the UN positions before the strike. Two UN soldiers have been hospitalized as a result.

UNIFIL has asserted that the attacks were deliberate, with some UNIFIL officials claiming that Israel seeks to drive the UN out of Lebanon.

"We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times," said UNIFIL. "Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701."

The IDF stated "The Hezbollah terrorist organization operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near UNIFIL posts. The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL. On Thursday morning, IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Accordingly, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area." Israel National News - Arutz Sheva

'Israel must control Philadelphi Corridor to ensure Gaza security,' Former CIA director says

Former CIA director and retired general David H. Petraeus has emphasized that Israel should maintain control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the critical border area between Gaza and Egypt, until a reliable security force is established to prevent the resurgence of Hamas and other extremist groups.

Speaking on the Jewish People's Podcast by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), Petraeus stressed that without Israel’s continued presence, any efforts at rebuilding Gaza could be undermined by terrorists. “Rafah crossing between Gaza and Sinai is also under Israeli control and should remain that way,” he said, adding that Israel should not relinquish control of the crossing until there is “absolute confidence” in a new, non-extremist security force in Gaza.

Drawing on his experience overseeing US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus highlighted that security must be the top priority before any significant humanitarian aid or reconstruction can occur. “The job is not done,” he said. “If the intent is to prevent Hamas from having influence in the territory, then clearly what has to be done is security must be achieved, and only Israel can do that, I'm afraid.”

Petraeus cautioned against the dangers of withdrawing too soon from areas that have been cleared of Hamas influence. “This is what we did during the surge in Iraq,” he said. “You go into a neighborhood, you clear it of the enemy, but then you leave. And inevitably, it creates a vacuum that is filled by bad actors.” READ MORE