Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Damascus to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations with Syrian officials following a rare public sermon by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who defended a recent missile attack on Israel. Araghchi, who has been making diplomatic calls, insisted that Iran was not seeking escalation.
Images from news agencies showed thick smoke rising over parts of southern Beirut after Israeli airstrikes, with reports of bombings targeting Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine. Hezbollah reported ongoing clashes with Israeli soldiers near Lebanon’s southern border.
In other developments, Hamas reported a leader being killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, while at least four hospitals in Lebanon suspended work amid the ongoing bombardment. Israel cut off a key road near the Lebanese border and accused Hezbollah of using crossings to bring in weapons.
In Gaza, the health ministry reported casualties from ongoing Israeli military attacks, with more than 2,000 deaths in nearly a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict has also led to widespread destruction in both Lebanon and Gaza.
US President Joe Biden expressed uncertainty over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in Middle East peace deals. Israeli soldiers conducted widespread raids in the West Bank, resulting in detentions, while funerals were held for those killed in Israeli airstrikes in Tulkarm.
US forces carried out strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels, while the UK organized chartered flights for British nationals to leave Lebanon. The situation remains tense in the Middle East with ongoing violence and displacement.
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