Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the mobilization of a fourth army division into southern Lebanon. This marks an escalation in their ground offensive against Hezbollah, as they claimed to have "eliminated" the group’s new leader, following the assassination of his predecessor. In a recent statement, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed that Hashem Safieddine, believed to be the successor to the slain Hassan Nasrallah, faced significant blows to Hezbollah's command structure. With Israel launching operations…

Addis Ababa (AX) - Amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives in southern Lebanon, Ethiopia has embarked on an operation to bring its citizens home from Lebanon safely.Touching down on October 7, 2024, at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, 51 Ethiopians returned after a well-orchestrated effort by several governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, and the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission.Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, who acts as the…

An Irish family recently found themselves caught in the chaos of Israeli missile strikes while in Lebanon, but they have safely returned home after a harrowing evacuation. Munir Zabad, aged 53, alongside his wife Ghada, 47, their 24-year-old daughter Ghadir, and 12-year-old son Hassan, touched down in Kilkenny on Saturday after making a stop at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands. The family had journeyed to Lebanon for two poignant reasons: to honor the memory of Mr. Zabad's late father and to celebrate Ghadir’s nuptials…

Soreti is one of the large crowd estimated at between 175,000 and 200,000 foreign domestic workers residing in Lebanon, predominantly women. A 2019 report by Amnesty International, referencing the Ministry of Labour, highlighted that Ethiopian women made up at least 75% of this group. Their journey to Lebanon began in the 1980s and gained momentum after the civil war ended, with a surge in migration during the 1990s and 2000s. Most are employed in low-paying jobs as live-in caregivers, sending financial aid back home to…

Israel has announced that it carried out strikes targeting the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Lebanon, evaluating the aftermath of these assaults after a series of actions aimed at high-ranking members of the group. Iran's Supreme Leader condemned these operations, calling them counterproductive. The air raid on Beirut formed part of a broader offensive that has displaced over 1.2 million people within Lebanon. Reports indicate that the attack focused on a potential successor to the Hezbollah leader, who was…

The Tánaiste has assured that Irish forces stationed in Lebanon remain secure; however, he expressed substantial concern regarding the recent initiation of ground raids by Israeli troops in southern Lebanese villages, highlighting that international humanitarian law appears to be under strain. Mr. Martin emphasized the "extraordinary" ramifications that such ground offensives could impose, potentially displacing over a million individuals, which he termed "unacceptable." The situation has escalated as Israel reported fierce…

The situation in Israel has escalated dramatically, as fierce battles have ignited with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This uptick in violence comes on the heels of Israeli paratroopers, commandos, and armored units initiating raids during a fresh ground offensive. In the backdrop of this military action, Israel has unleashed a barrage of airstrikes that wreaked havoc on the leadership structure of Hezbollah, marking a significant blow with the assassination of chief Hassan Nasrallah just last week in Beirut. According to…

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported tragic news, indicating that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the death of 21 individuals in eastern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in violence that has persisted for nearly a week. According to the ministry's statement, “The raids carried out by the Israeli forces in the Baalbek-Hemel region have left 21 dead and 47 injured,” providing a preliminary count as heavy bombardment continues in the Baalbek vicinity, noted an AFP reporter. In its ongoing military…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the United Nations that military operations against Hezbollah will persist, effectively squashing any hopes for the 21-day ceasefire advocated by France and the United States earlier this week. “Hezbollah has made a choice, and that choice is war. Therefore, Israel must act, and we possess every right to safeguard our citizens and ensure their safe return home,” Netanyahu stated during his address to the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that offensive actions against…

A prominent humanitarian leader in Beirut has issued a stark warning: a prospective ground invasion by Israeli forces into Lebanon could inflict further trauma on an already suffering displaced population. According to the United Nations, over 90,000 individuals have been forced from their homes in Lebanon since the beginning of the week. Dr. Luna Hammad, the Medical Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Lebanon, conveyed her concerns during an interview with RTÉ's Morning Ireland. She highlighted that Beirut…