Israeli strikes kill scores in Lebanon, Gaza as Trump wins US vote

Lebanon's eastern Baalbek-Hermel districts saw very deadly Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday that have claimed the lives of over 50 people so far
16 min read
06 November, 2024

Violent Israeli attacks across Lebanon on Wednesday left scores of people killed, particularly in the country's east.

Over 50 people were killed in an initial death toll in airstrikes across the rural Bekaa region, particularly in the Baalbek-Hermel governorate where one strike landed very close to Baalbek city's ancient ruins.

Beirut's southern suburbs - where attacks have become less frequent - saw at least eight strikes, as Israel continued to bomb southern Lebanon amid clashes with Hezbollah fighters.

Washington has been seeking a permanent settlement between Israel and Lebanon, but some analysts doubt any deal before Donald Trump takes office after the Republican candidate won the US presidency.

In the Gaza Strip, Israel continued to kill scores of people in airstrikes targeting the north of the devastated territory.  At least 15 people were killed in an Israeli attack on a building housing displaced people in Beit Lahia. A mother and her three children were among the casualties.

An earlier strike on Tuesday evening killed five people in the Al-Zarqa neighbourhood north of Gaza City. UN agencies have warned that everyone in northern Gaza is at imminent risk of death as Israel pursues a suspected plan designed to kill, starve, or expel the remaining inhabitants of the area.

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3:21 AM
The New Arab Staff

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Israeli strike on Gaza's Nuseirat camp kills four
1:21 AM
The New Arab Staff

The Wafa news agency reported earlier that an Israeli strike on Gaza's Nuseirat camp killed a Palestinian man and his son. They have now confirmed that four people were killed in that attack, which struck the Sanea family home located in the Rahma neighbourhood.

According to various reports, around 17 others were wounded in the attack, as search and rescue workers scramble to find people under collapsed buildings. 

At least 4 more Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs
12:59 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Lebanon's Al-Jadeed TV said Israel has launched at least four more strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, just hours after earlier attacks.

Israel launches fresh strikes on south Beirut
12:02 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Footage from AFP showed fresh Israeli strikes targeting south Beirut in the early hours of Thursday, just an hour after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents in the area. 

The footage showed several plumes of smoke rising above south Beirut, with journalists in Beirut reporting hearing loud bangs.

Earlier, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents of four south Beirut neighbourhoods to evacuate, posting maps on social media that included an area near the Beirut airport.

On Wednesday, nine Israeli strikes hit south Beirut, Lebanese state media said, targeting what the Israeli military said was Hezbollah infrastructure, including alleged command centres and weapons depots.

 

WHO: Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza evacuated for care
11:39 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

The World Health Organisation said more than 200 Palestinians in Gaza, including patients and their carers, have been evacuated to the United Arab Emirates or Romania on Wednesday for medical treatment. 

In total, the group numbered some 230 people, according to the WHO and COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories.

"This is the largest number of patients and caregivers who have left through the Kerem Shalom crossing in recent months," COGAT said in a statement.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with the UAE, the European Union and the WHO, it added.

The WHO said the "patients included those with autoimmune diseases, blood diseases, cancer, kidney conditions and trauma injuries".

The WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, had said Tuesday that those on the evacuation list were among up to 14,000 people currently waiting in Gaza to be evacuated for medical reasons.

Israeli forces raid West Bank town, kill Palestinian
10:42 PM
The New Arab Staff

Israeli forces launched a raid near the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, using tear gas on civilians in the town of Al-Khader. 

According to the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces fired barrages of concussion grenades and tear gas canisters towards villagers, causing people to suffocate. 

Earlier, Israeli forces shot and killed a man in Jenin, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported. 

At least seven Palestinians have been killed in Jenin in the past 48 hours, and a total of 10 in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli attacks kill 40 in Lebanon today
10:00 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Lebanon's health ministry said 40 people had been killed in Israeli strikes on the country's east including in the Baalbek region on Wednesday, with rescuers still looking for survivors under the rubble.

"The series of Israeli enemy strikes on the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek" killed "40 people and injured 53", the ministry said in a statement giving a preliminary toll.

The toll includes 11 people killed in the city of Baalbek, nine of them in the Shikan district, a densely-packed Sunni neighbourhood.

An AFP correspondent in Baalbek saw rescuers searching for survivors under the rubble after a strike on the poor neighbourhood.

He said the city's famed Palmyra hotel had also been damaged in nearby strikes, with the health ministry reporting two people had been killed there.

An Israeli strike also killed 16 people in the village of Nasriyah, the ministry said.

"Rescue and rubble removal operations are still ongoing in search of missing persons," the ministry said.

Israel's army had not issued evacuation warning for Lebanon's east.

 

Israeli attack kills Palestinian man and son in Gaza
8:54 PM
The New Arab Staff

An Israeli attack on Gaza's Nuseirat has killed a Palestinian man and his son, the Wafa news agency reported late on Wednesday.

The pair were killed while in a house, and were later transferred to the Al-Awda Hospital.

Many others were wounded in the attack, as emergency services scrambled to search and rescue people from under the rubble.

 

Massaad Boulos says Trump 'committed' to ending war on Gaza
6:58 PM
The New Arab Staff

Trump's adviser and son-in-law, who is Lebanese born, told Al-Jadeed News on Wednesday that the president-elect is "committed to ending the war [on Gaza and Lebanon] before he enters the White House".

Massaad Boulos, a billionaire who is married to Trump's daughter, added that he would "undertake the tasks of negotiating with the Lebanese side in order to reach an agreement, while Trump will appoint someone familiar with the Israeli dossier to negotiate with the Israelis and reach an agreement".

 

 

Hezbollah say they attacked Israeli naval base with drones
6:46 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Lebanon's Hezbollah  said it targeted a naval base near the Israeli city of Haifa with drones and missiles late on Wednesday, the fourth attack on the base in as many weeks.

Hezbollah fighters "targeted the Stella Maris naval base northwest of Haifa with a salvo of high-quality missiles and a squadron of attack drones," the group said in a statement.

Israeli attacks kill at least 37 in Lebanon today
6:30 PM
The New Arab Staff

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 37 people today, the country's health ministry said. 

The ministry added at least 105 others were wounded in the attacks. 

 

Body found near Acre, possibly killed in rocket attack
5:56 PM
The New Arab Staff

One body was founded south of the northern Israeli city of Acre on Wednesday, according to Israeli media.

Some reports said the individual, a foreign worker, died in the impact of a rocket attack from Lebanon earlier in the day.

Projectile from Gaza intercepted in south: Israeli military
5:34 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had intercepted a projectile that was fired from central Gaza into southern Israel.

"A short while ago, the IAF (air force) intercepted a projectile that crossed from the central Gaza Strip into the area of Kissufim in southern Israel. Sirens sounded in accordance with protocol," the military said in a statement.

Israel struck the central Gaza Strip camp of Nuseirat Wednesday evening.

45 killed, 59 wounded in new east Lebanon death toll
5:04 PM
The New Arab Staff

At least 45 people have been killed and 59 wounded in 33 Israeli airstrikes on east Lebanon's Baalbek-Hermel and Beqaa governorates. The toll could rise.

Netanyahu calls Trump, discusses Iran threat: PM office
5:04 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Donald Trump on Wednesday after his stunning US election victory and discussed the "Iranian threat" to Israel's security, his office said.

"The conversation was warm and cordial. The prime minister congratulated Trump on his election victory, and the two agreed to work together for Israel's security. The two also discussed the Iranian threat," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Gaza polio vaccination campaign completed: Israeli military
5:02 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

The Israeli military said on Wednesday aid organisations had completed a second polio vaccination round for children in Gaza, administering more than 1.1 million vaccinations in different areas of the enclave, achieving 90% coverage.

Limits on the area covered by a humanitarian pause in the fighting to conduct the campaign, meant the campaign in northern Gaza was largely restricted to the area around Gaza City, the World Health Organization said.

Out of a total of 1,107,541 vaccinations for children across Gaza there were 211,170 vaccinations in northern Gaza, 379,361 vaccinations in central Gaza and 517,070 vaccinations in southern Gaza, the military said in a statement.

Lebanon says death toll tops 2,600 since Israeli escalation
4:58 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Health Minister Firas Abyad told AFP on Wednesday more than 2,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Israel launched intense air strikes on Lebanon more than a month ago.

"More than 2,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since September 23," Abyad told AFP, adding that the most of those who died were civilians.

The total number of deaths since fighting began on 8 October last year rose to 3,050 deaths with another 13,658 injuries. The number is expected to rise after Wednesday's strikes.

Iraq says will not allow its territory to be used in wars
4:54 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Iraq said Wednesday it would not allow its territory to be used for attacks related to conflict in the Middle East, with Iran threatening retaliation for an Israeli missile attack.

After a National Security Council meeting, a statement called reports suggesting Iraqi territory might be used as a launch point "pretexts aiming to excuse aggression against Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

The statement came after US news site Axios recently cited an Israeli intelligence source as saying an Iranian response could come from territory inside Iraq.

Beirut airport operating normally, has not closed: source
4:51 PM
The New Arab Staff

A security source denied rumors that the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut was closing, and said operations and flights were continuing as normal.

UN members must defend UNRWA against Israel ban: chief
3:50 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

The UN's aid agency for Palestinians is facing its "darkest hour," its chief said Wednesday as he implored member states to defend it against an Israeli decision to cut ties.

"Without intervention by member states, UNRWA will collapse, plunging millions of Palestinians into chaos," the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, told the UN General Assembly, calling for the body - which created UNRWA in 1949 - to prevent implementation of the Israeli ban.

30 killed in 20 airstrikes on Baalbek-Hermel today: governor
3:00 PM
The New Arab Staff

At least 30 people were killed in 20 Israeli airstrikes Wednesday on the Baalbek-Hermel governorate in east Lebanon's Beqaa, Governor Bachir Khodr said.

He added that another 35 people were wounded as Israel bombed towns and villages across the rural region, including one strike reported on the city of Baalbek.

Israel bombs Beirut's southern suburbs
2:25 PM
The New Arab Staff

Israel conducted strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs Wednesday, about an hour after the military issues evacuation orders for locations in Haret Hreik and Laylaki.

One of the strikes triggered a loud explosion which was heard across much of the greater capital, witnesses said.

Attacks have become less frequent there, but the region saw near-nightly strikes weeks ago when Israel dramatically escalated its offensive in Lebanon.

 

 

7 killed in Israeli airstrike near Hermel in Lebanon's Beqaa
2:24 PM
The New Arab Staff

At least seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike near the city of Hermel, in the northern part of Lebanon's Beqaa region.

Ceasefire deal not hinged on who wins US election: Hezbollah
2:22 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

The leader of Hezbollah said Wednesday the results of the US presidential election will have no impact on any possible ceasefire deal to end the war in Lebanon.

"We don't base our expectations for a halt of the aggression on political developments... Whether (Kamala) Harris wins or (Donald) Trump wins, it means nothing to us," he said in a pre-recorded speech before Trump announced his victory.

10,000s of combatants ready to fight Israel: Hezbollah chief
2:21 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Wednesday his group had tens of thousands of combatants ready to fight Israel, in a speech marking 40 days since his predecessor was killed in a strike.

"We have tens of thousands of trained resistance combatants" ready to fight, he said, adding that nowhere in Israel was "off-limits" to the group's attacks.

Israel says Hezbollah fired about 120 projectiles
2:20 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Israel says Hezbollah fired about 120 projectiles across the border on Wednesday.

Some of these landed close to Israel's biggest international airport.

Abbas says expects Trump to back Palestinian 'aspirations'
2:19 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Donald Trump on his US presidential election victory Wednesday, expressing confidence he would support Palestinians' "legitimate aspirations" for statehood.

"We are confident that the United States will support, under your leadership, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," Abbas said in a statement carried by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, reaffirming the Palestinian commitment to "the pursuit of freedom, self-determination and statehood, in accordance with international law."

Hezbollah chief issues televised address
1:34 PM
The New Arab Staff

Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a televised speech on Wednesday, warning that nowhere in Israel was "off-limits" to attacks by the group.

He said tens of thousands of "trained combatants" were ready to fight Israel, adding that he was not expecting the end of the war through any political action.

"Only one thing will end this war; which is the battlefield," he said.

Israel threatens south Beirut, issues evacuation orders
1:30 PM
The New Arab Staff

The Israeli army has told residents of two neighbourhoods in Beirut's southern suburbs to leave immediately before strikes on alleged "Hezbollah targets", as the group's new leader Naim Qassem delivered a speech.

"You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, against which the Israel Defense Forces (military) will act in the near future," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that included a map of the areas in question.

Iraq PM congratulates Trump, says wants to boost US ties
12:33 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump for winning the US presidential election and said he wanted to strengthen ties with the United States.

"Iraq reaffirms its steadfast commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States, grounded in mutual respect and shared interests," he said in a statement, adding, "We look forward to this new phase as a beginning to deepen cooperation across various sectors."

7 killed in Israeli strike on east Lebanon village
12:28 PM
The New Arab Staff

At least seven people were killed and two others were injured in the Wednesday morning Israeli airstrike on Al Ain, a village in east Lebanon's Baalbek district.

21 Israeli soldiers injured in past 24 hours: Israeli media
12:26 PM
The New Arab Staff

At last 21 Israeli soldiers were injured in the past 24 hours, 13 of them in south Lebanon and eight of them in Gaza, Israeli media has said.

Hezbollah targets military base near Ben Gurion airport
12:22 PM
The New Arab Staff

Hezbollah said it fired missiles at an Israeli military base near the country's main international airport on Wednesday, the first such attack in more than a month of war.

In a statement, the group said the salvo of missiles targeted the Tzrifin military base near Ben Gurion International Airport, south of the Israeli commercial hub of Tel Aviv.

A missile landed in the airport premises earlier on Wednesday, causing some material damage.

Lebanon files UN complaint against Israel over pager attacks
12:20 PM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Lebanon said Wednesday that it had filed a complaint with the United Nations' labour agency over deadly attacks on communication devices across the country in September, which it blames on Israel.

Lebanese Labour Minister Mustafa Bayram called the attack an "egregious war against humanity, against technology, against work", saying his country had filed the complaint with the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

"It's a very dangerous precedent," he told journalists in the Swiss city at an event organised by the UN correspondents' association ACANU.

Israeli strikes south Lebanon city of Nabatiyeh
11:35 AM
The New Arab Staff

Israel has conducted strikes on the south Lebanon city of Nabatiyeh. It came hours after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for at least four locations.

Nabatiyeh has been heavily pounded in the Israeli offensive and much of its once bustling and historic market has been destroyed.

Trump stance depends on his policy on Palestinians: Hamas
11:31 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Hamas will judge Donald Trump's new US administration on its actions and policy towards Palestinians, the movement said on Wednesday following his election win.

"Our position on the new US administration depends on its positions and practical behaviour towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause," the group said in a statement.

Egypt joins Turkey call to UN for arms embargo on Israel
11:30 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Egypt joined a call led by Turkey and backed by dozens of countries, urging the United Nations to halt arms deliveries to Israel, citing concerns over their use.

A foreign ministry statement on Tuesday said Egypt joined the call as part of "international efforts to pressure Israel to cease its continuous violations of international law and international humanitarian law".

It also aims to stop "Israeli violations" against Palestinians and protect civilians, the statement read.

Qatar congratulates Trump, says to work together on region
11:27 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani congratulated Donald Trump on Wednesday after the US presidential candidate claimed victory in the race to the White House.

The ruler of the Gulf monarchy, a key mediator for a truce and hostage release deal in Gaza and host of the largest US military base in the Middle East, said he looked forward to "working together again... in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally".

Saudi king, crown prince congratulate Trump on election win
11:24 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and his son, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory on Wednesday, state media reported.

The two leaders sent cables to Trump, who cultivated warm Saudi ties during his first administration, with King Salman hailing "close relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields", the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Jordan king congratulates Trump, hopes for peace, stability
10:12 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump after the Republican candidate claimed victory in the US presidential election, saying he hoped they could work for peace and stability.

"Looking forward to working with you again to bolster Jordan's longstanding partnership with the United States, in service of regional and global peace and stability for all," the king wrote on X.

Hezbollah leader to make speech at 3pm Beirut time
9:57 AM
The New Arab Staff

Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem is scheduled to make a speech on Wednesday at 3pm local time (1pm GMT).

Egypt's Sisi congratulates Trump, hopes for 'peace'
9:52 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated on Wednesday Donald Trump as he claimed victory in the US election, hoping his return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.

"I wish him all the success... and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples," Sisi said on X.

Iran says it is ready for confrontation with Israel: ISNA
9:51 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Iran's Revolutionary Guards deputy chief Ali Fadavi said Tehran is ready for confrontation with Israel and does not rule out a pre-emptive strike by the U.S. and Israel, the Iranian Student News Agency reported on Wednesday, after Donald Trump claimed victory in the U.S. presidential election

Missile from Lebanon lands near Israel's Ben Gurion airport
9:44 AM
The New Arab Staff

A missile has reportedly landed very close to the Ben Gurion airport in Israel after a rocket barrage was fired from Lebanon.

Videos shared online showed smoke rising from the airport's vicinity. Other images showed a small crater in what looked like a parking lot with some damage to nearby cars.

Air traffic was stopped following the strike.

US 'blind support' for Israel must end: Hamas
9:02 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

A senior Hamas official told AFP that the United States under Donald Trump, who claimed victory in the presidential election, must end its "blind support" for Israel in the war in Gaza.

"This blind support for the Zionist entity must end because it comes at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region," Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, told AFP.

Iran is not very concerned about Trump winning election: gov
8:51 AM
The New Arab Staff

The Iranian government said it was not very concerned about Trump winning the presidential election.

Trump ordered for the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in early January 2020. He also withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal.

Netanyahu congratulates Trump for 'greatest comeback'
8:48 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday congratulated Donald Trump, who claimed victory in the US presidential election, calling it "history's greatest comeback" and a new beginning in the US-Israel alliance.

"Congratulations on history's greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!" said Netanyahu in a statement issued by his office.

Trump to be 'tested on saying he can stop war within hours'
8:44 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Wednesday that Donald Trump will be tested on his statements that he can stop the war within hours as U.S. president.

"We urge Trump to learn from (President Joe) Biden's mistakes," Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

The official said the Democratic party's loss is the natural price for their leadership's "criminal stance" towards Gaza.

Katz vows to return hostages, destroy Hamas and Hezbollah
8:43 AM
The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Israel's newly appointed defence minister, Israel Katz, vowed on Tuesday to prioritize the return of Israel's hostages from Gaza and the "destruction" of Hamas and Hezbollah, in his first post on X since accepting the role.

"We will work together to march the security system to victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all the abductees as the most important value mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression and the return of the residents of the north and south to their homes in safety," he said.