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Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah Strongholds in Southern Lebanon

People and members of the Lebanese army gather at a damaged site in the aftermath of Israeli strikes in Abbasiyyeh, Tyre district, southern Lebanon Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on southern Lebanon , claiming it was targeting Hezbollah positions that were allegedly being rebuilt despite a ceasefire agreement reached last year. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for three areas before launching the strikes, warning civilians to leave as it accused Hezbollah of attempting to restore its military infrastructure. According to Lebanese officials, smoke was seen rising from the Nabatieh district following the bombardment, while the health ministry confirmed at least one fatality from earlier strikes the same day. The full toll from the latest wave of attacks has not yet been released. The escalation comes amid growing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. Despite the truce brokered in late 2024 , Israel has continued to conduct operations against Hezbollah, citing s...

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US Blocks Abbas from UN Amid Rising Global Recognition of Palestinian Statehood

 

The United States has announced it will deny and revoke visas for several senior members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) ahead of next month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. The move is expected to prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from delivering his customary address at the annual gathering.

The State Department cited the PA and PLO’s alleged failure to repudiate terrorism and their pursuit of unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood as reasons for the restrictions. However, the Palestinian mission to the UN — staffed by diplomats permanently based in New York — will be exempt from the ban, in line with the UN headquarters agreement.

The decision comes as several key US allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada, have pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state during the summit. These recognition moves reflect growing frustration with Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis it has triggered, and continued settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Abbas’ office condemned the US action, calling it a violation of international agreements governing access to the UN, and vowed to respond diplomatically. The restrictions could significantly reduce the Palestinian presence at a high-profile moment in the global debate over statehood and peace in the Middle East.


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