Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced on Friday that it was entering a more intense phase in its conflict with Israel. Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack that led to the ongoing Gaza war, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Wednesday.
Western leaders viewed his death as a potential step toward ending the conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted the war would continue until all hostages taken by Hamas were released.
"Today we have settled the score. Evil has been dealt a blow, but our mission is not yet complete," Netanyahu declared in a video, highlighting the ongoing nature of the operation. He reassured the families of the hostages, pledging to keep fighting until all captives were safely returned.
Sinwar, who became the head of Hamas after the assassination of political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, had been hiding in Hamas' tunnel network under Gaza. He was killed in a gunfight with Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, though the troops were initially unaware they had captured Israel's most wanted figure.
Israeli forces released drone footage showing Sinwar in a destroyed building, covered in dust. Although Hamas has not issued an official response, internal sources indicated that signs suggest Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces.
Sinwar's death may escalate tensions in the Middle East, with Israel launching a ground campaign in Lebanon and planning a response to Iran's Oct. 1 missile attack.
U.S. President Biden, who congratulated Netanyahu, sees Sinwar's death as an opportunity for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, though Iran and Hezbollah remain defiant, vowing to intensify resistance.
Families of Israeli hostages acknowledged Sinwar's death as significant but said it is incomplete while hostages remain in Gaza. Avi Marciano, father of a victim, called Sinwar’s death " a little justice, but no comfort" until the remaining hostages return home.
In Gaza, Palestinian Thabet Amour stated that Sinwar's assassination would not end the resistance or lead to surrender.
A Hezbollah official says the group will not act independently in response to Israeli strikes on Iran, expressing solidarity with Tehran but stopping short of direct retaliation.
The Lebanese government has firmly warned Hezbollah against participating in Iran’s retaliation against Israel, signaling a sharp rebuke of any unilateral military action by the group.
The U.S. has pressured Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, urging the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enforce a ceasefire. The LAF, caught between U.S. demands and Hezbollah’s influence, risks losing vital U.S. support if it fails to act.
Tensions rise along the Lebanon-Syria border after the abduction and killing of Syrian security forces. Syria accuses Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack, while the group denies involvement. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation are underway.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
Another group of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Russia has been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan. During the night, a new group of orchestra members crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint as part of the ongoing evacuation process.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Air show for reportedly displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
Kazakhstan has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top grain supplier, as trade between the two countries surged 20% in early 2025, reaching historic highs.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation advisory for Iranian civilians living near weapons production sites and associated infrastructure within Iran. The message was shared on the social media platform X in both Arabic and Farsi by an official military spokesperson.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
An Air India flight with 242 passengers on board crashed in Meghaninagar, close to Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat, on Thursday afternoon.
Türkiye’s current account balance registered a deficit of $7.8 billion in April, according to data released Monday by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), marking a wider-than-expected shortfall amid a sharp goods trade imbalance.
Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja visited the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard on Monday, marking 100 years of Norwegian sovereignty amid growing global interest in the polar region.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Air show for reportedly displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
Another group of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Russia has been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan. During the night, a new group of orchestra members crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint as part of the ongoing evacuation process.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Air show for reportedly displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
Kazakhstan has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top grain supplier, as trade between the two countries surged 20% in early 2025, reaching historic highs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment