Iran slams US deployment of B-52 bombers as ‘destabilizing’

Iran slams US deployment of B-52 bombers as ‘destabilizing’
A US Air Force's B-52 bomber flies over Skopje, on August 22, 2022 (AFP)
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Updated 04 November 2024
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Iran slams US deployment of B-52 bombers as ‘destabilizing’

Iran slams US deployment of B-52 bombers as ‘destabilizing’
  • The US military announced on Saturday the deployment of B-52 bombers to the Middle East as a warning to Iran which has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes on its military sites on October 26

Tehran: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday criticized what he called the United States’ “destabilizing presence” after the deployment of B-52 bombers in the region.
“We have always believed that the presence of America in the region is a destabilising presence,” said Baghaei told a news conference in response to a question about the deployment, adding that it “will not deter (Iran’s) resolve to defend itself.”
The US military announced on Saturday the deployment of B-52 bombers to the Middle East as a warning to Iran which has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes on its military sites on October 26.
Israel’s attack was in retaliation for an October 1 Iranian missile barrage, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.
At least four soldiers were killed in the strikes which also caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems, officials said at the time. Iranian media also reported that a civilian was killed.
Baghaei said Iran’s response would be “definite and decisive.”
He added that Iran supported “all initiatives and efforts” to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel is at war with the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah armed groups, respectively.
Israel said its October 26 attack targeted Iran’s defense capabilities and missile production, but Tehran said its missile production remained intact.
On Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran had missiles so Israel “wouldn’t dare attack us.”
During the news conference, Baghaei said Iran’s official position against changing the nuclear doctrine and pursuing atomic weapons remained the same.
Citing a recent speech by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Baghaei said the Islamic republic would be “equipped with everything necessary to defend” itself.


Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit

Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit
Updated 29 sec ago
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Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit

Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit
  • The summit aims to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region
  • Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah echoed support for a two-state solution on Palestinian issue

RIYADH: Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has called for an immediate ceasefire and has renewed condemnation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

In his opening speech for the 45th GCC Summit being hosted by his country, the Kuwait ruler also called international community “to play its role in implementing Security Council resolutions on Gaza.”

“Civilians in Gaza must be protected and provided with aid,” he said.

“We reiterate our unwavering support to Palestine and to end the Israeli occupation, attain all their political rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions,” he stressed.

“We also commend Qatar, Egypt, and the US for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcome the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation.”

The Emir also echoed support for a two-state solution on the Palestinian issue, and reiterated “We support Saudi efforts to push for two-state solution.”

Gulf leaders earlier arrived in Kuwait ahead of the 45th GCC summit, which aimed to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region.

GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, said the summit was yet another milestone in the chain of accomplishments for attaining the aspired pan-GCC merger, in a statement published by Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA.

It is rather a platform for the leaders to coordinate their visions and stands toward regional and international issues, said Al-Budaiwi, revealing that leaders would look into strategic files designed to strengthen regional security and stability, in addition to backing up sustainable economic development in the six countries, members of the bloc.

“We recall with pride the developments and innovations that all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reached, becoming an example to be followed in security, development, flourishing as well as a destination for regional excellence in overall progress,” according to Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad Al-Saud, in a separate KUNA report.

The Saudi envoy affirmed that the GCC had carried out its international duties within the frame of the international community, championing wisdom and balance in the regional and international arenas.

The GCC is a beacon of hope in the region and it has worked as a unifier of efforts by all GCC citizens, he added.

Among those who have arrived in Kuwait, which hosts the event, are Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar’s Ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyed Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Said.

The Saudi official delegation includes Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Prince Turki bin Mohammad, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaid Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan, Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser and other senior officials, KUNA reported.


White House says ‘not there yet’ on Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
Updated 7 min 26 sec ago
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White House says ‘not there yet’ on Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
  • “We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the region, and there is activity even today,” said Jake Sullivan

WASHINGTON: The White House is working on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza but is “not there yet,” the US National Security Adviser told NBC on Sunday, with fighting in the conflict raging on as Arab leaders meet in Cairo to discuss the crisis.
“We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the region, and there is activity even today,” said Jake Sullivan, according to a transcript released by the broadcaster.
“There will be further conversations and consultations, and our hope is that we can generate a ceasefire and hostage deal, but we’re not there yet,” he added.
Sullivan’s comments came a day after Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, days into a fragile ceasefire in its conflict with the Iran-backed group.
Addressing that conflict, Sullivan lauded the ceasefire deal and said the US was working with Lebanon’s military to ensure it was implemented “effectively.”
“We need to protect it and ensure that it is fully implemented,” he told NBC.
In an apparent reference to the Israeli strikes, Sullivan said both parties “have the right, consistent with international law, to take action in self-defense if they’re facing imminent threats.”
Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said there were “indications” progress could be made on a deal securing the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza.
“There are signs we may see a greater degree of flexibility from Hamas as a result of circumstances that have developed, including the agreement with Lebanon,” he said.
“There is a desire to move forward on this. I hope it can progress. We are committed to the return of the hostages — it’s a responsibility we must uphold.”
Saar asserted, however, that Hamas “cannot be allowed” to continue to rule Gaza.
Hamas seized 251 hostages during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, with 97 still being held in Gaza, including 34 who have been confirmed to be dead.
The armed group’s attack resulted in 1,207 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
In response, Israel launched a withering military campaign on Gaza, killing at least 44,429 there, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, with its population dependent on humanitarian aid that the UN on Sunday said it would pause delivery of through the key Kerem Shalom crossing due to security concerns.


Palestinians say Israeli military kills two in West Bank

People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
Updated 36 min 27 sec ago
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Palestinians say Israeli military kills two in West Bank

People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
  • Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were “preventing our teams from reaching the bombing site near the village of Siir”
  • Two vehicles had been destroyed near a wooded area, and eyewitnesses said the army removed two bodies from a second site that had been hit

JENIN: The Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army killed two people in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, after Israel’s military announced a strike in the area of Jenin.
The ministry said in a statement two people were killed “due to the occupation’s aggression on the village of Siir in the Jenin district,” referring to Israel.
Hours earlier, Israel’s military said in a statement that “an IAF (Israeli air force) aircraft conducted a strike on terrorists in the area of Jenin.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were “preventing our teams from reaching the bombing site near the village of Siir.”
Israeli soldiers entered the village at around 7:00 am (0500 GMT) on Sunday and had withdrawn by the afternoon, an AFP photographer said.
Two vehicles had been destroyed near a wooded area, and eyewitnesses said the army removed two bodies from a second site that had been hit, the journalist added.
Last month, the Israeli army launched several raids in Jenin, killing nine people, the majority of them Palestinian militants.
Two Palestinians, including a teenage boy, were also killed during an Israeli raid in the West Bank village of Yabad on November 24, the Palestinian Authority said.
Violence in the West Bank, particularly in the north of the territory, has soared since the war in Gaza began in October last year after Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 780 Palestinians in the West Bank during the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry.
Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the West Bank in the same period, according to Israeli official figures.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.


Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says
Updated 01 December 2024
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Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis launched a military operation on a “vital target” in central Israel using a hypersonic missile, the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised address on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday the Israeli military said that a projectile launched from Yemen was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory.

The military earlier said sirens had sounded in a number of areas in central Israel following a launch from Yemen.

The Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel repeatedly in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, since the Gaza war began in 2023.


Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately

Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately
Updated 01 December 2024
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Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately

Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately
  • Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis called on Lebanese politicians on Sunday to urgently elect a new president, to get the country’s governing institutions functioning again.
“I address an urgent invitation to all Lebanese politicians to elect the president of the republic immediately,” the pontiff said at Saint Peter’s Square at the end of Sunday Angelus prayer.
Lebanon’s institutions need to “start functioning normally again to undertake the necessary reforms and sustain the country’s role as an example of peaceful cohabitation between different religions,” Francis said.
Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.
Neither of the two main blocs in parliament — the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents — have the majority required to elect a head of state and they have been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.