Live blog: Israel kills 33, wounds nearly 200 in Lebanon

Sunday, September 29, 2024

2020 GMT — Israel has killed 33 people and wounded 195 in its heavy strikes on Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

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2149 GMT — Russia urges Israel to abandon 'essentially terrorist methods of settling political scores'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Israel to abandon "essentially terrorist methods of settling political scores."

"Apparently, Israel wants to create a reason for the US to get involved in this war. And in order to create this reason, it has been provoking both Iran and Hezbollah. In this situation, Iranian leadership is behaving extremely responsibly," he said. "I don't think this is the right course, I am convinced that the bloodshed must be stopped."

Asked about Israel's willingness to implement UN Security Council resolutions, Lavrov said: "I do not see Israel's desire to carry out any peace plans."

2124 GMT — 'Might cannot replace justice': China demands independent Palestinian state in UN address

China reiterated its demand for an independent state of Palestine as it told the UN that powerful nations cannot replace justice through their strength.

Palestine is the "biggest wound" to human conscience, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the 79th session of the General Assembly in New York.

"But might cannot replace justice," he said, while noting the war in besieged Gaza was causing more casualties each day, and fighting has started again in Lebanon.

"Palestine's long-held aspiration to establish an independent state should not be shunned anymore, and the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored anymore," said the Chinese foreign minister.

2116 GMT — Biden says 'it's time for ceasefire' in Lebanon

Asked by reporters if an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon was inevitable, US President Joe Biden said that it was time for a ceasefire.

"It's time for a ceasefire," Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Commenting on Hassan Nasrallah's killing, he said it was a "measure of justice."

2107 GMT — Indonesia demands global action on Palestinian rights

Indonesia highlighted its commitment to global issues, particularly the plight of Palestinians.

"Indonesia cannot, I repeat, cannot sit back and relax seeing the injustice that continues to be committed against the people of Palestine," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in her final address to the UN General Assembly.

She demanded international action against Israel's military actions, urging nations to recognise Palestine.

"The recognition of Palestine today is an investment that will yield a more peaceful, just, and human world tomorrow," she said, and announced Indonesia's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for 2029 - 2030.

2056 GMT — Egypt signals full support for Lebanon

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi informed Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Cairo's support for Beirut and directed the immediate deployment of aid during a telephone call, according to the Egyptian presidency.

El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's "full support for Lebanon and confirmed standing by its side during these critical circumstances, and rejecting attempts to jeopardise its security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity, stressing the need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza," he said in a statement.

The Egyptian president "gave directives for the immediate dispatch of emergency medical and relief aid to Lebanon, in solidarity with its people, and affirmed Egypt's continued support for Lebanon at all levels."

For our live updates from Saturday, September 28, 2024, click here.