Live blog: Israel strikes southern Beirut as Netanyahu rejects ceasefire

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

0352 GMT — A strike hit south Beirut, AFPTV footage has shown, less than an hour after the Israeli military ordered residents to leave part of the Lebanese capital.

Black smoke billowed from between buildings in Haret Hreik after the strike, which followed Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee telling people to leave the area.

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0447 GMT — Australia condemns killing of innocent civilians by Israel in recent operations in Gaza

Australian top diplomat Penny Wong has condemned the killing of innocent civilians by Israel in recent operations in Gaza.

Wong said in a statement on X that the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is unacceptable and Israel must allow essential supplies to flow.

"I have asked Australia’s officials to convey our concerns directly to Israel," she said.

0347 GMT — Iran's foreign minister to visit Jordan, Egypt and Türkiye, Iranian ministry says

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is visiting Jordan, Egypt and Türkiye as part of Iran's diplomatic reach-out to countries of the region "to end genocide, atrocity and aggression", the Iranian foreign ministry's spokesperson has said in a post on X.

0339 GMT — Israel military issues new evacuation order for south Beirut

The Israeli military has ordered residents to leave part of southern Beirut, a warning which usually precedes strikes on the area pinpointed in the Lebanese capital.

"You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, which the IDF (Israeli military) will work against in the near future" in the Haret Hreik area, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote in Arabic on X.

2230 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.

2200 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.

Biden noted an Iran missile attack earlier this month on Israel and how the US contributed to a "historic defense" of Israel in the letter.

2156 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."

2146 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."

The group cited an unnamed prisoner released from the Israeli Ramon Prison, who reported that "the prison administration classified his section as 'zombie' due to the effects of the scabies on their bodies."

"The majority of released prisoners suffer from health issues, including chronic problems that require medical follow-up," it said.

2109 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.

For our live updates from Tuesday, October 15, 2024, click here.