Ninety rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon, with one landing near Haifa, but no injuries were reported. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for some attacks. The US opposes Israel’s bombing in Beirut due to civilian toll concerns, marking the first public opposition from the Biden administration. Additionally, the US criticized Israel for low humanitarian aid levels to Gaza, prompting a letter demanding action. The US has not specified potential consequences if Israel does not comply with aid demands. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
Tensions between Israel and the UN over peacekeeping in southern Lebanon have escalated, rooted in longstanding mistrust. Israeli PM Netanyahu called for UNIFIL’s withdrawal from “combat areas,” accusing it of failing to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and allowing Hezbollah to regroup. Israel claims UNIFIL ignored Hezbollah’s activities, including tunnel digging and missile embedding. UN Watch and Israeli media allege Hezbollah operates freely near UN bases. Netanyahu urged the UN to prevent Hezbollah from using peacekeepers as “human shields,” criticizing their continued presence. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
In August, Gaza reported its first polio case in over 25 years in an unvaccinated baby. The World Health Organization launched a campaign to vaccinate over 640,000 children. As a humanitarian worker, I’ve helped administer the first doses to 559,161 children despite challenges. Parents’ efforts to protect their children are inspiring, but ongoing threats remain. Israel’s military allowed “humanitarian pauses” for vaccinations, yet concerns persist about future disease threats like cholera. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
Mikhail Pichugin survived over two months adrift in icy seas on an inflatable boat, while his brother and nephew perished. The trio set off on August 9 for Sakhalin island but were carried off course. Pichugin, initially weighing 100kg, was found at 50kg. Rescuers had searched for them, suspecting currents took them towards Kamchatka. A fishing boat discovered the vessel 66 days later. Pichugin’s wife called his survival a “miracle,” attributing it to his initial bulk. He was taken to Magadan for medical care. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
In the farming village of Khodor, Lebanon, rescue workers frantically searched for survivors after an airstrike amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The military campaign, initially focused on southern Lebanon, has expanded to the eastern Bekaa Valley, a key Hezbollah stronghold. Rescue teams struggle to manage the destruction. Hezbollah, which began its operations in this rural area, allowed a Washington Post team access, accompanied by a group member. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
The funeral of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general killed with Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah gathered top leaders in Tehran. Gen. Esmail Qaani, head of the Quds Force, was seen mourning. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 15, including children. Israel’s offensive has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, displacing 90% of Gaza’s population. Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israel in solidarity with Hamas. In Syria, a shelter near Damascus struggles to support over 300 Lebanese families fleeing the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, lacking essential supplies. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 4:30 pm
In Ukraine, citizens like Anton, a software developer, are assembling drones at home to support the military’s needs amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine has significantly increased domestic drone production, with the government allocating $2 billion to produce at least 1 million FPV drones. President Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine contracted 1.5 million drones this year and can produce 4 million annually. The effort involves the government, military, private companies, and citizens. A new armed forces branch, the Unmanned Systems Forces, focuses on drone warfare. Ava Sinclair 15/10/2024 4:30 pm
The Israeli military has targeted search-and-rescue teams, medical centers, and hospitals in Lebanon, severely impacting emergency services. The Islamic Health Society (IHS), linked to Hezbollah, has been hit hardest, with over 85 staff killed and 150 wounded. On October 7, an Israeli strike on the Baraachit Emergency Centre killed at least 10 firefighters. The Lebanese health ministry condemned the attack as a “massacre,” accusing Israel of committing a war crime against humanitarian workers. The Lebanese Red Cross later recovered eight bodies from the site. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 4:30 pm
At least 15 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, including a strike near Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which killed four. The White House criticized the strike after videos showed civilians engulfed in flames. Israel claims the strike targeted terrorists near the hospital, attributing subsequent fires to secondary explosions. The U.S. National Security Council expressed concern over civilian casualties, urging Israel to avoid such incidents. Israel maintains that Hamas uses civilian areas for military purposes, complicating their operations. The incident is under review. Ava Sinclair 15/10/2024 4:30 pm
Health workers in Gaza are set to administer a second polio vaccine dose to 590,000 children starting Monday. The first round vaccinated 95% of eligible children and was successful. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of this second dose to curb virus spread. Success depends on humanitarian pauses in fighting, with assurances from the Israeli military. The campaign will occur in three phases, also providing vitamin A. The WHO initially aimed to vaccinate 640,000 children but revised estimates due to displacement and casualties from ongoing conflict. Ava Sinclair 15/10/2024 4:30 pm
