Israel says it strikes Hezbollah launch pad in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army says it is continuing to target Hezbollah activities that violate the terms of the ceasefire.
Its spokesperson said the Israeli air force attacked a launch pad that was identified in the Majdal Zoun area in southern Lebanon, adding that the army destroyed “combat equipment” in the areas of Khiam, Sawwaneh and Aitaroun, also in southern Lebanon.
That's not how a ceasefire works. Hezbollah isn't bombing Israeli soldiers and equipment still left in Lebanon.... The ceasefire terms are for Hezbollah to withdraw North of the Litani river in 60 days. (and for the IDF to vacate Lebanon) But no doubt the US will call it self defense...
UNRWA says Israel continuing disinformation campaign about agency
https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/state-israel-continues-dis-information-campaign-against-unrwa
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says Israel has increased a disinformation campaign against the agency through a series of billboard advertisements put up in several cities worldwide.
UNRWA said the latest efforts by Israel to label the agency a “terror organisation” could amount to hate speech.
“This campaign is creating immense reputational damage to UNRWA, currently the largest humanitarian provider for people in Gaza living through an excruciating war. These ads can put the lives of UNRWA personnel at serious risk,” the agency said.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began 14 months ago, at least 251 UNRWA staff members have been killed and two-thirds of UNRWA buildings in Gaza have been hit.
The disinformation campaign comes after Israel passed legislation banning UNRWA from operating in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israeli officials, media figures warn of reforms threatening press freedom
Israeli opposition leaders and media figures have warned that the government reform proposals were threatening press freedoms. “In the years since this government was formed, Israel has fallen 15 places in the freedom of speech index,” opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid said.
A former journalist, Lapid said the current government did not want a balanced media landscape but media “like in Hungary, like in Russia – restrained, frightened, submissive, shallow”.
Israel is ranked 101 out of 180 countries, compared with 86 in 2022 before Netanyahu formed his coalition government.
This year, it banned Al Jazeera from reporting in Israel and later from the occupied West Bank due to its coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza. Last month, the government also announced it would stop state advertising in and subscriptions to the Israeli left-wing media outlet Haaretz.
In recent months, the government bills have focused more on Israeli media, including one to grant the government greater control over television ratings data and legislation.
Essay Pro