Archiv: Spannungen / tensions


23.10.2024 - 09:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel suspected of using white phosphorus on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon: Report

The reported incident occurred on 13 October, when the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said two Israeli Merkava tanks broke through the gates of one of its bases. The tanks left after 45 minutes, following complaints from Unifil.

The Financial Times does not specify in its report where the incident took place, but on that same day, two tanks were reported to have hit the post of a Unifil base in Ramya, a town in southern Lebanon. Unifil said its peacekeepers were being treated for skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions.

Within the next hour after the tanks left, several rounds were fired 100 metres north of the Unifil base, and the rounds emitted a „smoke of suspected white phosphorous“ that ultimately injured 15 peacekeepers.

21.10.2024 - 18:32 [ KBS.co.kr ]

Nordkorea will Trümmer einer südkoreanischen Drohne entdeckt haben

Ein Sprecher des nordkoreanischen Verteidigungsministeriums teilte am Montag über die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur KCNA mit, dass die schwerwiegende Verletzung der Souveränität durch die südkoreanischen Militärbanditen durch eindeutige Beweise und wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen bestätigt worden sei.

Bei der Drohne handle es sich um ein kleines Langstrecken-Aufklärungsmodell, das von der Drohnenoperationseinheit der südkoreanischen Armee stamme.

14.10.2024 - 05:52 [ 20min.ch ]

Guterres nennt Angriff auf UNO-Basis «mögliche Kriegsverbrechen»

Das Aussendepartement hat den israelischen Vorstoss in einen UN-Stützpunkt verurteilt.
Zuvor hatten israelische Panzer das Tor zu einer Unifil-Einrichtung durchbrochen, über ein Dutzend Blauhelme wurden verletzt.
Auch der Papst hat dazu aufgerufen, die «Friedenstruppen zu respektieren».

14.10.2024 - 05:35 [ France24.com ]

UN chief says attacks on UNIFIL ‚may constitute a war crime‘

(Issued on: 13/10/2024 – 22:57)

„In a deeply worrying incident that occurred today, the entrance door of a UN position was deliberately breached by IDF armored vehicles,“ he added in a statement.

At least five peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days as Israel targets Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

13.10.2024 - 20:55 [ United Nations ]

Lebanon: IDF tanks force entry into UN peacekeeping position, UNIFIL reports

According to the Mission, at about 04:30 (local time), while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and entered the position.

“They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights,” UNIFIL said in a statement.

The tanks left about 45 minutes later after the Mission protested through its liaison mechanism, saying that IDF presence was putting peacekeepers in danger.

At around 06:40, peacekeepers at the same position reported the firing of several rounds 100 metres (about 110 yards) north, which emitted smoke.

“Despite putting on protective masks, fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, after the smoke entered the camp,” UNIFIL reported.

The affected peacekeepers are receiving treatment.

13.10.2024 - 20:49 [ Times of Israel ]

Netanyahu: UN must withdraw south Lebanon peacekeepers from combat zones

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on the United Nations to immediately pull its peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon from areas where Israel is battling Hezbollah, saying that the terror group is using the international troops as “human shields.”

Netanyahu’s comments came as the UN peacekeeping force said two Israel Defense Forces tanks had entered a United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon position Sunday.

13.10.2024 - 19:30 [ topbuzztimes.com ]

Poland promotes joint declaration with 40 countries to protect UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland before the United Nations promoted a proposal, signed by 40 countries who provide funds and troops to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to condemn the recent attacks of of Israel against its base in Naqoura (in the south of the country) and five peacekeepers were injured in just three days. “We call for respecting the UN mission and guaranteeing the safety of people,” dictates his message published on the social network X.

13.10.2024 - 19:26 [ France24.com ]

40 nations contributing to UN Lebanon peacekeeping force condemn ‚attacks‘

The 40 contributing countries „reaffirm our full support for UNIFIL‘s mission and activities, whose principal aim is to bring stabilization and lasting peace in South Lebanon as well as in the Middle East,“ the statement read.

„We urge the parties of the conflict to respect UNIFIL‘s presence, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times,“ it added.

UNIFIL, which involves about 9,500 troops of some 50 nationalities, is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.

12.10.2024 - 20:02 [ Reuters ]

France, Italy and Spain condemn targeting of UNIFIL by IDF -joint statement

(October 11, 20248:29 PM GMT+2Updated a day ago)

The leaders of France, Italy and Spain on Friday condemned the recent targeting of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, by the Israel Defence Forces and said such attacks were „unjustifiable“ and should „immediately come to an end.“

11.10.2024 - 20:02 [ Washington Post ]

Israel steps up its battles with the United Nations

Netanyahu has issued statements essentially calling for regime change in both Lebanon and Iran, while Israel’s boosters in the United States see in its expanding wars an opportunity to “remake” the political map of the Middle East.

11.10.2024 - 18:14 [ Politico.eu ]

France, Italy summon Israeli ambassadors after UN peacekeepers struck by Israeli forces

The two countries, which supply large amounts of troops to the U.N. peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon known as UNIFIL, summoned Israel‘s ambassadors to their respective capitals in response to incidents in which four peacekeepers were injured, one of whom required hospitalization. No French or Italian troops were wounded.

France‘s Ministry for Foreign Affairs condemned the „deliberate“ attack on Friday, which it said constitutes a „serious violation of international law.“

10.04.2024 - 17:06 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Gantz: ‚We will enter Rafah and go back to Khan Yunis‘

National Unity chairman Benny Gantz said during a press conference in Sderot on Wednesday that Hamas was militarily defeated following the IDF‘s operation in Gaza.

„From a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding. Its abilities are cut off, and we will continue to strike what remains.

10.04.2024 - 17:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz: Hamas has been defeated militarily but we’ll fight against remnants for years to come

However, “from a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding” and its capabilities “crippled,” he continues, stating that “victory will come step by step” and that Israel “will not stop. We will enter Rafah. We will return to Khan Younis. And we will operate in Gaza. Wherever there are terrorist targets – the IDF will be there.”

10.04.2024 - 16:32 [ Times of Israel ]

Of course Netanyahu should go – in an orderly process that gives our enemies cause for fear

(today)

And therefore, as was the case when he insisted on continuing to run the country while in the midst of a corruption trial, and as was the case when he pressed on with his assault on Israeli democracy and briefly fired that defense minister, so too, now, it falls to a potential few good men and women within his own coalition base to tell him that his presence is harming Israel, that his policies empowered and emboldened Hamas, and that far from being uniquely capable of ensuring Israel has the practical and diplomatic room to destroy Hamas, he is almost uniquely incapable of doing so.

10.04.2024 - 16:30 [ New York Times ]

Netanyahu Must Go

(09.04.2024)

Israel must destroy Hamas as a military and political force in the territory while minimizing harm to civilians. It must do what it can to rescue its hostages without jeopardizing the overriding goal of destroying Hamas. It must, by diplomacy or force, push Hezbollah back from Lebanon’s southern border, so that 60,000 Israelis can return safely to their homes in the north. It must take the battle directly, as it did last week in Damascus, to Hamas’s and Hezbollah’s patrons, whether in Syria, Qatar or Iran.

And for all of that to happen effectively, Benjamin Netanyahu must go.

29.03.2024 - 20:05 [ ABC News ]

US hasn‘t ruled out consequences for Israel over looming Rafah operation: What would that look like?

„It‘s very, very important,“ Ziv said of U.S. military aid to Israel. Placing conditions on it, he said, „creates a dangerous precedent for Israel because it just wasn‘t in the cards up until now.“ (…)

The U.S. could continue to abstain or even support United Nations resolutions that Israel finds unfavorable, as it did this week.

29.03.2024 - 19:46 [ Axios ]

In reversal, Netanyahu sending delegation to White House for Rafah talks

(27.03.2024)

It‘s a sharp reversal by Netanyahu who on Monday canceled the same trip by the same people in protest over the U.S. not vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The fallout over the canceled trip and a deadlock in hostage talks added to already spiraling relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration.

24.03.2024 - 18:15 [ Barents Observer ]

US Air Force B-1B bombers on Barents Sea mission met by Russian fighter jet

Asked by the Barents Observer, the Joint Headquarters near Bodø, however, confirms that the planes were inside Norwegian airspace before flying out over international airspace in the Barents Sea.

“The activity included both Norwegian and international airspace,” says spokesperson Reidar Flasnes.

“We cannot detail the activity,” Flasnes says and points to the United States as in charge of Sunday’s flights. He adds that the flights are “approved by Norway’s Ministry of Defense.”

24.03.2024 - 18:12 [ Tass ]

Russian MiG-31 fighter intercepts US bombers over Barents Sea

„On March 24, 2024, Russian airspace control capabilities spotted an aerial target over the Barents Sea approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. A MiG-31 fighter jet from air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the aerial target and prevent it from violating Russia’s state border,“ the ministry said. „The fighter’s crew identified the aerial targets as a pair of B-1B strategic bombers of the US Air Force, it said.

24.03.2024 - 18:05 [ Tass ]

Poland armed forces claim the country’s airspace violated by Russian cruise missile

The Polish Armed Forces reported a violation of the country‘s airspace on the border with Ukraine early in the morning of March 24 and claim that it is a Russian cruise missile. No evidence was provided for these statements.

24.03.2024 - 18:01 [ Reuters ]

Russia violates Poland‘s air space in attack on Ukraine, Poland‘s armed forces say

„On March 24 at 4:23 a.m. (0323 GMT), there was a violation of Polish airspace by one of the cruise missiles launched overnight by long-range aviation of the Russian Federation,“ the armed forces said on the social media platform X.
„The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds. During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems.“

29.01.2024 - 09:27 [ Shafaq.com ]

Arrogance and fabrication after Iranian „rocket night“ on Erbil

Despite more than a week passing since the unexpected Iranian attack, with its timing, circumstances, and justifications, Iranian officials persist in claiming that the long-range missiles launched at civilian areas in Erbil were targeting „Mossad sites.“ However, Tehran has not provided any evidence or arguments to support this claim to either the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) or the Iraqi government.

The „escaping forward“ policy pursued by Iranian officials regarding the attack on Erbil amounts to an implicit admission of the invalidity of their justifications and the failure of the missile aggression itself.

24.01.2024 - 14:13 [ Außenministerium von Spanien / Foreign Ministry of Spain ]

Albares begins Middle East tour to promote regional de-escalation of the conflict

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today begins a tour of the Middle East that will first take him to Lebanon, then to Iraq, where he will hold meetings at the highest level with the aim of boosting the chances of achieving a regional de-escalation that will result in greater stability in the area.

24.01.2024 - 14:10 [ Shafaq News / Twitter ]

Iraq‘s MoFA: Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno is to arrive this evening for an official visit to Iraq. Bueno is set to hold meetings with Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, and PM Al-Sudani.

24.01.2024 - 13:37 [ Himalaya Times In English / Twitter ]

That strike in particular infuriated the Iraqi government, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called for the US-led coalition against IS jihadists to depart the country.

24.01.2024 - 13:00 [ Shafaq.com ]

Iraq: A favored battleground for Tehran and Washington

The dual rebukes of Iran and the US underscore the tightrope Baghdad is walking as the war in Gaza seeps out beyond the besieged Mediterranean enclave’s borders.

Across the region, Tehran and Washington are flexing their muscles, vying to outflank each other in a deadly proxy war. The shadowy conflict has taken on different flavours that reflect local and geopolitical realities.

24.01.2024 - 12:49 [ Shafaq.com ]

Iraq Condemns U.S. Strikes on PMF Headquarters as ‚Aggressive Actions‘

„While positive steps have been taken to reshape the future relationship and missions of the Coalition members and advisors in Iraq, the recent actions are hindering this progress, undermining agreements and various sectors of joint security cooperation,“ Rasool said.

„This unacceptable act undermines years of cooperation, blatantly violates Iraq‘s sovereignty, and contributes to an irresponsible escalation.“

Maj. Gen. Rasool said the strikes came at a time when the region is already grappling with the „danger of expanding conflict, the repercussions of the aggression on Gaza, and the consequences of the immoral war of extermination faced by the Palestinian people.“

24.01.2024 - 12:36 [ Shafaq.com ]

Iranian assault escalates diplomatic tensions, undermines „sturdy relations“ with Iraq

(20.01.2024)

The Iranian missile attacks last Monday night on Iraqi territory in Erbil, Kurdistan Region (KRI), were deemed by the Iraqi government as „an act of aggression“ and a dangerous development undermining the strong relation between Iraq and its eastern neighbor. The Iraqi government affirmed its right to respond at an appropriate time. Political analysts see the Iraqi response as unusual, entering a diplomatic crisis with Iran for the first time since 2003.

21.01.2024 - 08:28 [ DailySabah.com ]

US deploys more troops to Syria despite Turkish outcry for PKK support

Troops will be part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a U.S. military campaign against Daesh from Iraq and Libya to Syria. Last year alone, the U.S. sent more than 3,000 soldiers to Syria and Iraq for the campaign. The website Axios reported that U.S. military presence in the region reached about 45,400 as of October 2023 and most are stationed in Kuwait.

21.01.2024 - 08:22 [ CBS News ]

New Jersey soldiers prepare for deployment to Syria and Iraq

(14.01.2024)

Soldiers from New Jersey are joining the fight against an Islamic militant group in the Middle East. This will be the largest deployment of New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers since 2008.

Lt. Col. Omar Minott is among 1,500 New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers deploying to Iraq and Syria. This is his fifth deployment to the Middle East, he said.

His deployment is part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a military campaign to defeat ISIS.

06.01.2024 - 23:53 [ i24news.tv ]

Combative security cabinet meeting on post-war Gaza uncovers coalition‘s crisis

Israel‘s War Cabinet gathered overnight on Friday to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip after the nation‘s war against Hamas ends. The meeting was reportedly cut off after lawmakers clashed with the defense establishment over the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation of the mistakes leading to the October 7 tragedy that had previously been promised to start after the Israel-Hamas war.

Miri Regev, Minister of Transport and Road Safety, pointed out that the decision over the probe had been made without lawmakers‘ knowledge and argued that the army should be fully focused on the combat in the moment.

06.01.2024 - 19:44 [ US Außenministerium / US State Department ]

Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Türkiye, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt

Secretary Antony J. Blinken will travel to Istanbul, Türkiye; Crete, Greece; Amman, Jordan; Doha, Qatar; Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates; Al ‘Ula, Saudi Arabia; Tel Aviv, Israel; the West Bank; and Cairo, Egypt from January 4-11, 2024.

04.01.2024 - 12:10 [ Regierung des Libanon / Government of Lebanon - Gov.lb ]

Nasrallah warns Israel against escalation, vows Islamic Resistance would engage without any constraints

Hezbollah Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Israel against the prospects of initiating an extensive conflict with Lebanon. Nasrallah underscored that in such a scenario, the Islamic Resistance would engage without any constraints.

During his statement, Nasrallah highlighted Hezbollah‘s decision to enter the conflict on October 8 in solidarity with Palestinians and to counter the Israeli offensive in Gaza. He emphasized that while Hezbollah‘s actions currently align with the interests of Lebanon, these boundaries would dissolve should Israel provoke a comprehensive war.

14.12.2023 - 19:58 [ Steve Cohen, Champion for Justice and Civil Rights on Judiciary Committee / Twitter ]

Netanyahu has gone way too far and Jake Sullivan will be informing him that the bombing must be greatly limited or Israel will be without its last real friend, the USA &Joe Biden.The President is finished with Bibi’s Putin-like no holds barred war.

Hostages first! Civilians never

14.12.2023 - 19:51 [ Middle East Eye ]

Jake Sullivan will tell Israel US plans to pull support unless bombing limited, lawmaker says

A key democratic lawmaker said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will tell Israel that it will lose US support if it continues its current bombing campaign in Gaza.

“Netanyahu has gone way too far and Jake Sullivan will be informing him that the bombing must be greatly limited or Israel will be without its last real friend, the USA & Joe Biden,” Steve Cohen, a senior Democratic congressman, said in a social media post.

14.12.2023 - 16:56 [ Times of Israel ]

War against Hamas to take ‘more than several months,’ Gallant tells Sullivan

Gallant and Sullivan discuss operational developments in Gaza, as well as tensions in the north with Hezbollah and regional threats posed by Iran’s actions and its backing of proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.

Gallant further expresses his gratitude for US support for Israel in the war and efforts by the Biden administration to secure the release of hostages taken by terrorists on October 7.

21.08.2023 - 15:12 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Moment Iranian drones and speedboats swarm two US warships with 4,000 troops on board during tense clash in the Persian Gulf

Iranian media outlets claimed that the confrontation forced helicopters to land back on the Americans ships.

The ships, a helicopter carrier and a support vessel that were carrying more than 4,000 American troops between them, were sent to the Gulf in response to Iran‘s continued threats of seizing commercial ships in the region.

04.07.2023 - 08:04 [ Tagesschau ]

Proteste in Frankreich: Flut an falschen Videos und Bildern

„Man sieht, dass russische Propagandisten versuchen, die Lage in Frankreich für ihre Zwecke zu nutzen und die Spannungen weiter zu verstärken“, stellt Lamberty fest.

Gleichzeitig instrumentalisieren Rechtsextreme die Lage in Frankreich, um Stimmung gegen Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund zu machen.

25.06.2023 - 11:09 [ CNN ]

Russia pulls back from brink of crisis after deal reached to end Wagner insurrection

The abrupt about-face follows a rare, remarkable challenge to the Kremlin that threatened to plunge the country into crisis and destabilize its already stumbling war efforts in Ukraine.

The threat of civil war leaves the country – and the Putin regime – in a very different place Sunday than it had been just two days prior. And with Russia possessing the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, that instability has other nations on edge, prompting emergency meetings and high-level talks.