Iraq, Lebanon leaders call for urgent intervention to ‘save the people of Gaza’
The plea has come during a joint news conference in Baghdad between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and visiting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The two leaders called for an immediate intervention to “save the people of Gaza” and denounced the continued Israeli assault on the enclave amid “suspicious international silence”.
Al-Sudani expressed Iraq’s full support for political consensus within Lebanon and condemned the “ongoing aggression by the Zionist [Israeli] entity on Lebanese territory”. He also reaffirmed Iraq’s support for Syria and the preservation of its territorial unity.
Aoun emphasised Lebanon’s commitment to state sovereignty and social peace, stating the importance of preserving civil stability “without compromising the state’s authority”. He noted the delicate balance Lebanon seeks to maintain amid rising regional tensions.
Israeli defence minister orders continued fighting in Gaza despite talks
Israel Katz says he has instructed the military to continue advancing towards “all targets” in Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
“The Israeli army will use all necessary means by air, land, and sea to dismantle and crush Hamas,” he said on X, adding it is continuing attacks “with great strength, paving the way for advancing ground forces”.
“Whoever slaughters and fights us will pay the full price,” Katz continued. “Hamas is faced with two options: either release the hostages or face annihilation.”
Israeli drone attack kills 1 in southern Lebanon
The strike has been carried out with a guided missile and targeted a motorcycle on the road to the village of Arnoun in Lebanon’s Nabatieh governorate, according to the official National News Agency.
Israel says it intercepts missile fired from Yemen
The Israeli army says defence systems have intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.
Sirens sounded in several areas in Israel after the launch, it added.
Yemen’s Houthi group has been launching attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group said Israel’s recent retaliatory strikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and Houthi infrastructure would not deter it.
