Israel-Hezbollah hostilities fan fears of widening Gaza war

The Pentagon announced that the United States will reduce its troop presence in Syria by approximately half, bringing the number to less than 1,000 in the coming months as part of efforts against the Islamic State (IS) group. Despite significant defeats of IS in the region, the group remains a threat, prompting continued US military action. The reduction follows President Trump's long-standing skepticism regarding US involvement in Syria, as the nation plans to end its...

US Congress members Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman arrived in Damascus, marking the first visit by American lawmakers since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Mills met with new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussing US sanctions and Iran, while Stutzman planned to meet Sharaa despite his sanctions due to past ties with al Qaeda. The congressmen, organized by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, expressed concerns about Syria aligning with adversaries like China and Iran,...

Recent UN data indicates that one in ten bombs dropped by Israeli forces on Gaza since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, has failed to detonate, posing ongoing dangers to civilians, particularly as some families return to devastated areas. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reports that these unexploded munitions have already resulted in at least 23 deaths and 162 injuries, primarily among civilians, while humanitarian efforts to remove these threats are hindered...

US strikes on the Yemeni fuel port of Ras Issa have reportedly killed at least 80 people, marking the deadliest attack in a 15-month campaign against Huthi rebels, according to the group. The US military stated the strikes aimed to disrupt supplies and funding for the Iran-backed rebels, who have retaliated with missile attacks targeting Israel and US aircraft carriers. Protests erupted in Huthi-controlled areas, while US Central Command emphasized the strikes were intended to...

Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli air strikes in the south killed two people on Friday, despite a ceasefire established on November 27 aimed at ending conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli military confirmed targeted strikes in Sidon and Aita al-Shaab, eliminating Hezbollah members, including a key figure responsible for communication system deployments. While Hezbollah claims adherence to the ceasefire, Israel has continued near-daily attacks, with strikes resulting in casualties and damage to vehicles, showcasing ongoing...

SummaryThe Gaza Strip is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance from over 40,000 Israeli airstrikes, rendering it "uninhabitable," as reported by the US government. Despite US President Trump's proposal to take responsibility for cleanup, efforts are hindered by Israeli restrictions on demining equipment imports. The UN emphasizes Israel's obligation to assist in clearing these explosives, which have already caused numerous casualties among civilians. Full Article