Currently Online 
Israeli police arrest protesters demanding return of captives outside education minister’s home
Israeli police have clashed with protesters demanding the release of captives held in Gaza, during a demonstration outside the home of Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch.
Dozens of people gathered outside Kisch’s home in the central Israeli city of Hod HaSharon before police began forcibly arresting the protesters, some of whom were banging drums and chanting through megaphones.
Footage from the scene showed one demonstrator with blood on his face and neck.
Protesters have been demonstrating outside the homes of government ministers to demand a deal for the return of the captives, saying Israel’s intensified offensive on Gaza endangers their lives.
Lebanon asks US to ensure Israel sticks to truce
Lebanon is pushing to get more support from the United States after another deadly Israeli drone attack on southern Lebanon, which this time killed five people, including three children, the latest in a series of near-daily violations by Israel of the US-brokered November 2024 ceasefire.
President Joseph Aoun and other officials met with a delegation led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.
Aoun asked Rubio to ensure Israel sticks to the truce with the armed Lebanese group Hezbollah, as Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.
The Lebanese president said he wants Israel to stop occupying parts of his country, is looking to gear its army with “equipment and supplies” from the US, and needs Washington’s support to hold a conference dedicated to reconstruction in Lebanon.
Amid ongoing efforts to disarm Hezbollah, Aoun emphasised that the Lebanese army’s mandate includes “all Lebanese regions” as the country tries to seize an opportunity “to achieve just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East region”.
