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A Hezbollah air force commander has been killed in an airstrike on Beirut, Israel says.
Mohammad Surur, the head of one of Hezbollah’s air force units, was killed in the strike on a populated area of Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Two Lebanese security sources confirmed the news of the strike on Lebanon’s capital to Reuters. There have been a number of such strikes this week, alongside more than 1,000 others around the country.
It comes as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government rules out a ceasefire with Hezbollah, with the prime minister instead ordering his military to fight at full force.
The UK joined the US, France and other allies in calling for a 21-day temporary truce. In a statement, Mr Netanyahu’s office said: “The news about a ceasefire – not true. This is an American-French proposal, to which the prime minister did not even respond.”
Later, the army said in a statement that it was carrying out strikes on Lebanon’s capital, with the military likely targeting Hezbollah commanders. Local Hezbollah media said the strike had hit an apartment building.
The proposed ceasefire agreement would not affect the war in Gaza.
Australia urges its citizens to leave Lebanon as Beirut airport may close soon
Australia has urged its 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave due to the escalating conflict, warning that Beirut airport may close soon.
With Israel intensifying airstrikes and the possibility of a ground assault, Australia is preparing contingency plans, potentially including evacuations by sea, according to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
He refused to give more details on the evacuation plan.
“We’re looking at every option, but there’s obviously national security issues,” he told Sky News in an interview.
“Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve,” Mr Albanese said on ABC Television.
“We’ve been meeting on this through appropriate bodies over a period of time, including engaging with our friends and allies,” he added.
Foreign minister Penny Wong also said there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period, and urged Australians who live in Lebanon — around 15,000 — to leave now.
ICYMI: US and France call for 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
The US and France have called for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to create space for broader negotiations and prevent a larger conflict. This follows a heavy three-day Israeli bombing campaign in Lebanon that has killed over 600 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Israeli war cabinet have since rejected the ceasefire proposal.
The ceasefire proposal, endorsed by several global powers — like Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar — aims to allow civilians to return to their homes on the Israel-Lebanon border safely. It does not, however, apply to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The joint statement issued by Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron said: “It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes. The exchange of fire since October 7th, and in particular over the past two weeks, threatens a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians.”
The two leaders said they worked on a temporary ceasefire “to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border”.
UN chief attacks Security Council for failure of leadership to end wars
Mahmoud Abbas calls out US government at UN summit
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas said the “entire world is responsible” for events in Gaza and the West Bank.
He opened his speech at the UN general assembly in New York by telling the members: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.”
“Palestine is our homeland. It is the land of our fathers, our grandfathers. It will remain ours. And if anyone were to leave, it would be occupying usurpers.”
Abbas added, according to The Guardian: “Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue.”
He also called out the US for their failure to vote for a ceasefire in the UN security council and their veto of full Palestinian membership in the UN.
“This is the United States, the very country that was the only member in the security council that voted against granting the state of Palestine for membership in the UN,” Abbas said.
“We don’t deserve membership in the eyes of America, so they use a veto against it.”
Israel says it killed Hezbollah air force commander in Beirut strike
Israel says it killed “Muhammad Hossein Surur, the commander of the air unit”, in a strike in Beirut.
Two Lebanese security sources also said Surur was killed, according to Reuters.
Air force commander killed in Beirut strike named
The commander of one of Beirut’s air force units who was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut has been named as Mohammad Surur, Reuters reported two security forces as saying.
The attack is one of a number of strikes on the Lebanese capital since Monday, amid an Israeli bombing campaign which has seen over 630 people killed in Lebanon.
Breaking: Head of air force unit killed in Beirut strike
The head of Hezbollah’s air force unit was killed in Israel’s strike on Beirut, Reuters news agency reported two security sources as saying.
We’ll bring you the latest details as they come in…
Fourteen killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school, medics say
The Israeli military is continuing to wage its war in Gaza despite turning much of its focus to its conflict with Hezbollah in the north.
Palestinian medics say 14 Palestinians were killed in a strike which local media says hit Hasfa al Faluja school – where displaced people are said to be sheltering.
The Israeli air force said it had struck a command centre used by Hamas. In a post on Telegram, it said it took “numerous steps” to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.
Israel’s air force says it has conducted a precise strike on a command centre used by Hamas.
Pictured: Israel strikes Beirut again
Israel has struck Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut a number of times this week.
The strike hit the southern suburbs, near where several of hezbollah’s facilities are located – but also where many civilians live and work.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV broadcast images of a damaged upper floor of a building.
Report: Israel gears up for Lebanon ground invasion after another day of heavy strikes
Israel is preparing for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon, army chiefs said on Wednesday, as US president Joe Biden admitted “all-out war” is possible and Sir Keir Starmer urged British nationals to leave the area immediately.
Airstrikes in Lebanon are laying the groundwork for a possible operation to push Hezbollah back and “safely return” displaced Israeli citizens, said Israeli army general Lt Gen Herzi Halevi.
Read the full report by Rachel Hagan and Tom Watling:
Source: independent.co.uk
