Live: Gaza death toll nears 50,700

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has thrown his support behind Lebanon, denouncing what he called Israeli “aggressions” in a call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

“We will intensify our international calls to stop these aggressions and for the full implementation of commitments from both sides in accordance with the agreed-upon ceasefire,” Aboul Gheit said in a social media post.

Washington has thrown its weight behind Israel’s military actions after three rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Saturday.

“We fully support Israel in its response to terrorists launching rockets into Israeli territory,” said US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, shifting blame squarely onto Lebanon.

Israel’s assault on Lebanon killed at least seven people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Among the dead are five people, including a child, in Touline, while one person was killed in Tyre and another in Qlaileh.

The attacks also left at least 40 wounded, the ministry reported.

Hughes insisted it was Beirut’s responsibility to rein in armed groups operating within its borders. “The Lebanese government must prevent terrorists from attacking its neighbours from Lebanese territory,” he said.

“These terrorists have destroyed Lebanon for far too long,” he added, calling on the Lebanese authorities to “take the appropriate steps to take their country back.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has voiced concern over the spiralling violence in southern Lebanon, warning that any further escalation would endanger regional stability.

“Italy is closely monitoring the situation with concern,” Tajani said in a social media post, as clashes intensify along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Italy is one of the largest contributors to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), with over 1,000 troops stationed in the country.

“All parties must uphold their commitments and protect the progress achieved. Further escalations would pose a grave risk to the region,” he said.

When it comes to the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, there is no “good” side to the story - only a cunning and evil side, versus a foolish and evil side. 

Two days after his dismissal was announced, Israeli media published a photo of Bar alongside the newly appointed army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, during the command of Israel’s surprise attack on Gaza’s civilian population, which took place as Palestinians awoke in the predawn hours to eat before Ramadan fasting began.

On one side of this story stands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is gambling on the rise of the far right in the West - an agenda reinforced by US President Donald Trump’s aggressive opposition to the post-World War II global order, the very framework that created institutions like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. 

Netanyahu envisions a world where raw military power dictates reality without accountability. His primary concerns are his corruption trial, and the ongoing Shin Bet investigations into media leaks and the “Qatargate” scandal, which centres on dubious financial transactions between Netanyahu aides and Qatar.

Read more:  Palestinian lives have become background noise for internal Israeli power struggles

Israeli air strikes have killed at least 32 people across Gaza since sawn, medical sources told Al Jazeera Arabic.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has voiced alarm over the latest Israeli bombardments in Gaza and Lebanon, saying he is “deeply concerned” by the escalating violence.

“We condemn the violation of the ceasefire and the unbearable deaths of hundreds of civilians in Gaza,” Albares posted on social media.

He demanded respect for international law and civilian protection, calling for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.

Spain has been among the few European nations consistently criticising Israel’s assault, as diplomatic pressure mounts over the rising civilian death toll.

Israel’s assault on Lebanon has claimed seven lives today, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Among the dead are five people, including a child, in Touline, while one person was killed in Tyre and another in Qlaileh.

The attacks also left at least 40 wounded, the ministry reports, as Israel continues its airstrikes across the country.

France has warned Israeli and Lebanese officials that it is "deeply concerned" over escalating violence in southern Lebanon, following deadly Israeli air strikes and rocket fire that left six people dead.

In a statement, the French foreign ministry condemned the rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory but also urged Israel to "exercise restraint" in its military response.

The violence erupted on Saturday morning when Israel intercepted projectiles fired from Lebanon—an attack Hezbollah has denied responsibility for.

The Israeli military launched strikes on southern Lebanon and Tyre, killing six and wounding 11. The Israeli army claimed it targeted "Hezbollah command centres, infrastructure sites, terrorists, rocket launchers, and a weapons storage facility."

The first time I truly saw the world through my sister's eyes was in Ramallah. 

Growing up with a neurodivergent sibling, I deeply sympathised with her struggles, but there was always a barrier: I couldn't live in her world because I didn't have access to it. I simply tried to help her in any way I could. 

This changed when my family and I made the decision to move to the occupied West Bank from the US in 2021. We desperately needed a change of pace, and the quality of my sister's care was plateauing. 

By moving to Palestine, I would also be able to grow closer to my Palestinian identity, rather than being detached both physically and emotionally, as I had been for most of my life. 

The move itself came with many challenges. While I was adjusting to the new environment, I came to realise that the isolation my sister experiences on a daily basis was something I was experiencing as well. 

Read more:  How the Israeli occupation further isolates autistic children

An Israeli air strike has killed a Palestinian in the Al-Janina neighbourhood, east of Rafah, Al Jazeera reports.

The attack comes as Israel intensifies its assault on southern Gaza, where thousands remain trapped under bombardment.

Houthi affiliated media say American warplanes have carried out three airstrikes on Hodeidah International Airport, escalating tensions in the region.

The reported attacks come as Washington intensifies its military campaign against the Houthis, who have been targeting Red Sea shipping in response to Israel's ongoing onslaught in Gaza.

Israel Katz made remarks this week that solidified something legal experts have long stated: Israel is collectively punishing the people of Gaza.

The defence minister published a video directly addressed to “the residents of Gaza”, issuing a “last warning”. 

“Soon, the evacuation of the population from combat zones will resume, and what follows will be far more severe: you will pay the full price,” he warned. 

He called on Palestinians in the enclave to return Israeli captives and expel Hamas. “The alternative is utter destruction and devastation.” 

Collective punishment - defined as an action taken against a group in response to an act committed by individuals thought to be part of that group - is a war crime. 

Read more: Collective punishment is a war crime. Israel is doing it anyway

The US Embassy in Israel has issued a security alert for American citizens, citing growing instability in the country. 

The embassy's statement highlights "the resumption of red alerts and large-scale demonstrations," in the country. 

The warning comes amid a surge in Houthi ballistic missile attacks from Yemen and mass protests against the Israeli government’s push to sack Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

Israeli air strikes pounded the southern Lebanese town of Touline on Saturday morning, killing five people and wounding 11, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The assault marks yet another deadly escalation by Israel and a violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed 29 people since dawn, Al Jazeera Arabic reports, citing medical sources. 

Since 7 October 2023 at least 49,747 Palestinians have been killed including 634 killed since Israel broke the ceasefire on 18 March. 

More than 113,213 Palestinians have been wounded overall. At least 10,000 people are still missing, likely dead and buried under rubble.