Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Updates From Israel


IDF chief: If Iran attacks Israel again, we’ll hit ‘places we spared this time’
TOI



Lebanese state media reports that Israeli tanks have entered the outskirts of the village of Khiam, their deepest incursion yet into south Lebanon in a ground operation launched last month.

The official National News Agency reports the entry of “a large number of tanks belonging to the Israeli occupation army” into the eastern outskirts of Khiam, some six kilometers (nearly four miles) from the border with Israel.

Hezbollah claimed to destroy two tanks using guided missiles and to have targeted Israeli troops south and southwest of Khiam with rockets and artillery. Lebanon’s National News Agency says Israeli forces carried out a series of air attacks on Khiam today and launched a large-scale sweep “using heavy and medium weaponry.”

IDF: 30 rockets fired from Lebanon at Upper Galilee, striking open areas

Iranian president says Hezbollah’s new chief will ‘strengthen’ resistance

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the appointment of Naim Qassem to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as Hezbollah chief will “strengthen” the resistance.

Pezeshkian expresses confidence that Qassem’s appointment “will strengthen the will of the resistance,” while hoping for “the cessation of aggression by the illegal Zionist regime and the establishment of peace, tranquillity and security in Gaza, Lebanon, and the entire region,” according to his website.

PM weighing proposal drafted by Dermer for ending conflict with Hezbollah — report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a high-level security consultation this evening on whether to advance terms for ending the conflict with Hezbollah or to expand the ongoing ground operation in southern Lebanon, Channel 12 reports.

The report says that a team headed by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has drawn up proposed terms under which to end the conflict, and is recommending that Israel should try to do so, capitalizing on its military achievements against Hezbollah in recent weeks.

Along with Netanyahu and Dermer, the other participants in tonight’s meeting are reportedly Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar. The TV report says Halevi strongly recommends seeking a negotiated end to the fighting, and that there is a belief that it is currently possible to advance to a deal in Lebanon in a process separate from the ongoing conflict with Gaza.

The report says that the Dermer team’s recommendations, which were drawn up with input from the security establishment and the Foreign Ministry, include:

  • An improved version of UN Resolution 1701 (under which the 2006 Lebanon War was brought to an end), requiring Hezbollah fighters to withdraw north of the Litani River
  • Heavy deployment of the Lebanese Army at the border
  • An international oversight and enforcement mechanism of the agreed terms
  • Guaranteed freedom of operation for the IDF if there are “threats that need to be removed”
  • The prevention of Hezbollah rearming in the future
  • A 60-day ceasefire during which the agreement would be finalized

The report says it is not clear whether Netanyahu will choose to adopt the proposal from Dermer, one of the prime minister’s most trusted loyalists. Netanyahu reportedly held a prior consultation with several ministers, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, during which Gallant was not present.

If Netanyahu does decide to advance the proposal, this would have implications for Iran and Gaza, the report says without elaboration, and it is likely that the US point man on Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, would return to the region very soon — ahead of the US election next week.

Latest proposal on the table would see monthlong Gaza truce, release of 11-14 hostages

US pressing Israel to explain ‘horrific’ Gaza strike that reportedly killed dozens of children

IDF confirms UNIFIL headquarters in south Lebanon was hit by Hezbollah rocket

Hamas official says group open to ‘any deal’ that will lead to a ‘permanent ceasefire’



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