Middle East Crisis Highlights: Two French airlines halt Beirut flights until Tuesday due to ‘security’ concerns
- 10:28 PM IST, Aug 3 Two French airlines halt Beirut flights until Tuesday due to ‘security’ concerns
- 9:50 PM IST, Aug 3 Britain's marine security agency reports an incident in sea off Yemen
- 9:33 PM IST, Aug 3 After US, UK issues immediate evacuation notice for British nationals in Lebanon
- 8:11 PM IST, Aug 3 At Least 10 Palestinians killed in Gaza school attack by Israel, Hamas claims
- 8:01 PM IST, Aug 3 Iran claims short-range projectile killed Hamas leader Haniyeh, promises retaliation
- 7:39 PM IST, Aug 3 US embassy in Lebanon urges citizens to evacuate on ‘any available flight’
- 7:26 PM IST, Aug 3 US to send additional warships to defend Israel against Iran
Middle East Crisis Highlights: On Saturday, concerns about a regional Middle East conflict escalated following the assassination of Hamas's political leader, which has been attributed to Israel. This incident has led to vows of retaliation from Iran-backed groups in the region. In response, the United States announced plans to deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the area as the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” prepares to respond to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh....Read More
Latest developments here
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under U.S. European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the region.
- Groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria have already become involved in the ongoing nearly 10-month war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
- On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank killed a Hamas commander and four Islamic Jihad fighters, according to the militant groups' media. The Israeli military also reported killing four more gunmen in a separate strike.
- The Israeli military stated that the initial airstrike targeted a vehicle in a town near Tulkarm, aiming at a militant cell en route to an attack. Hamas media claimed the strike hit a vehicle carrying fighters and included a commander of its Tulkarm brigades.
- On Friday, thousands attended funeral prayers in Qatar for Haniyeh, who was buried north of Doha two days after his death.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported on Saturday that Haniyeh was killed by a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his accommodation area.
- Haniyeh had been in Iran for the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
- Israel, accused by Hamas, Iran, and others of the attack, has not issued a direct comment.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Two French airlines halt Beirut flights until Tuesday due to ‘security’ concerns
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Air France and low-cost carrier Transavia France will suspend flights to Beirut until at least Tuesday due to "security" concerns in the region, according to their parent company, Air France-KLM.
The airlines halted services on Monday, following Israel’s pledge to retaliate after rocket fire from Lebanon resulted in 12 deaths in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
A spokesperson noted that any decision to resume flights will depend on a reassessment of the situation on the ground, and passengers with existing bookings can rebook at no additional cost.
Flights to Tel Aviv will continue as scheduled, the spokesperson added.
The rocket attack on the Golan Heights has heightened fears of an escalation in the conflict between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel.
(AFP)
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Britain's marine security agency reports an incident in sea off Yemen
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Britain's marine security agency, UKMTO, reported on Saturday that it had received information about an incident 170 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni city of Aden. According to Reuters, Houthi militants have been targeting commercial ships in this area in solidarity with Palestinians.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: After US, UK issues immediate evacuation notice for British nationals in Lebanon
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: On Saturday, the UK government advised its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately due to fears of a potential all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a wider regional conflict.
In a statement, the foreign ministry urged British nationals to depart the Middle Eastern country “now while commercial options remain available.”
“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” stated Foreign Minister David Lammy.
“While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear -- leave now.”
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: At Least 10 Palestinians killed in Gaza school attack by Israel, Hamas claims
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, Reuters reported citing Hamas run-government media.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Iran claims short-range projectile killed Hamas leader Haniyeh, promises retaliation
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed that a short-range projectile was responsible for the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack, which they attribute to Israel, Associated Press reported citing state TV on Saturday.
The statement, broadcast on television, reiterated a call for retaliation and reported that a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to strike the residence of Hamas' political leader in Tehran on Wednesday, causing significant damage. The statement did not provide the specific location of the residence.
Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: US embassy in Lebanon urges citizens to evacuate on ‘any available flight’
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: On Saturday, the US embassy advised citizens to leave Lebanon using "any available ticket."
In the meantime, Sweden announced the closure of its embassy in Beirut due to concerns that the Gaza conflict could escalate into a broader regional war. Sweden had previously urged thousands of its citizens to evacuate Lebanon.
The recent killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, attributed to Israel, have increased regional tensions amid the ongoing Gaza war.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: US to send additional warships to defend Israel against Iran
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: The Pentagon announced late Friday that the US military will deploy a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and keep an aircraft carrier stationed there.
Earlier, President Joe Biden revealed that he had encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take advantage of the opportunity for a cease-fire with Hamas. Biden noted that the killing of Haniyeh had "not helped" efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. Netanyahu has committed to destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities.
