Wednesday, October 16, 2024
04:50 GMT — Israeli strikes kill 23, injure 31 in southern, eastern Lebanon
Israel has killed at least 23 people and wounded 31 in a series of air strikes on several towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to official figures.
Lebanon's official news agency reported that the strikes in the south targeted the districts of Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil and Marjaayoun, as well as Tyre and Jezzine.
In eastern Lebanon, the air strikes hit the districts of Zahle and West Bekaa.
04:22 GMT — Biden informs Congress of US ballistic missile deployment to Israel
US President Joe Biden has informed the Congress about his decision to deploy a ballistic missile defense system to Israel.
"I directed the deployment to Israel of a ballistic missile defense system and United States service members capable of operating it to defend against any further ballistic missile attacks while this defensive posture is deemed warranted," Biden said in a letter to congressional leadership on Tuesday.
The Pentagon said earlier that an advance team of US troops and the initial components for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system have arrived on Monday in Israel.
04:00 GMT — US senator urges Biden not to send weapons to Israel
US Senator Bernie Sanders urged President Joe Biden not to send weapons to Israel for its carnage in besieged Gaza.
"When Congress returns, I will move Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block offensive arms sales to Israel," Sanders wrote on X.
"But President Biden should act now: Israel is clearly violating US & international law, using starvation as a tool of its all-out war against the Palestinian people."
03:21 GMT — Israel uses scabies to torture inmates: Palestinian group
The Israel Prison Service uses scabies as a tool of torture against Palestinian detainees, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said.
"Scabies has emerged as one of the most significant health issues affecting prisoners, with visible effects on their bodies when they are released. Medical tests have confirmed that they suffer from other health problems as a result," it said in a statement.
"The Prison Service use scabies as a means of harassment and torture, transforming the right to medical treatment over decades into a tool of abuse."
02:30 GMT — Netanyahu rejects ceasefire in call with Macron
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told French President Emmanuel Macron that Israel would not agree to a unilateral ceasefire in Lebanon or a settlement that would allow Hezbollah to rearm, according to a statement.
"The Prime Minister told President Macron that he opposes a unilateral ceasefire, which would not change the security situation in Lebanon and would return the country to its previous state," Netanyahu's office said about the telephone call.
Netanyahu "was taken aback at President Macron's intention to host a conference in Paris on the issue of Lebanon, with participants such as South Africa and Algeria, which are working to deny Israel its fundamental right of self-defence and, in effect, reject its very right to exist," according to the statement.
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