Afternoon summary
It’s now 4pm UK time and 6pm in Beirut. Here’s a summary of the day’s key developments.
Israel army announces night-time curfew in south Lebanon. The Israeli military announced a night-time curfew in south Lebanon on Thursday, a day after a ceasefire with Hezbollah began, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). “It is strictly forbidden to move or travel south of the Litani River starting from 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) until 7:00 am tomorrow (Friday). Those south of the Litani River must remain where they are,” military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said in a post on X.
Israeli military says air force struck Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said on Thursday that the air force struck a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon, the first such attack since a ceasefire took effect on Wednesday morning.
At least 21 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes on Thursday, say medics. Israeli military strikes killed at least 21 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, medics said, as forces stepped up their bombardment of central areas and tanks pushed deeper into the north and south of the territory. Reuters reports that the escalation came a day after Israel and Hezbollah began a ceasefire in Lebanon, halting more than a year of hostilities and raising hopes among many Palestinians in Gaza for a similar deal with Hamas.
Israeli foreign minister says ‘no justification’ for ICC to take steps against Israeli leaders. Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said on Thursday that the ICC had “no justification” for issuing arrests warrants for Israeli leaders, in a joint press conference with Czech foreign minister, Jan Lipavsky. Saar told Reuters Israel has appealed against the decision and that it sets a dangerous precedent.
Hezbollah MP says Israeli attacks on civilians violated ceasefire deal. Hezbollah member of parliament, Hassan Fadlallah, said on Thursday that Israel had violated a ceasefire deal by firing on civilians returning home to their villages along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, reports Reuters. “The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages,” Fadlallah told reporters after a parliament session, adding, “there are violations today by Israel, even in this form”.
Israeli tanks fire on southern Lebanon as officials says ceasefire with Hezbollah violated. Israeli tank fire hit six areas in southern Lebanon on Thursday and the Israeli military said its ceasefire with Hezbollah was breached after what it called suspects, some in vehicles, arrived at several areas in the southern zone, reports Reuters. A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday under a deal brokered by the US and France, intended to allow people in both countries to start returning to homes in border areas.
Palestinian president names interim successor if he has to leave post. Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has named a temporary successor who would take over from him should he die or leave his post, addressing concerns of a possible power vacuum after his departure. According to Reuters, in a statement released late on Wednesday, Abbas said the chair of the Palestinian National Council should serve as interim president for no more than 90 days, during which presidential elections should be held.
Updated
A World Health Organization official voiced optimism on Thursday that some of the health facilities in Lebanon shuttered during more than a year of conflict would soon be operational again, if the ceasefire holds.
“Probably some of our hospitals will take some time, but some hospitals probably will be able to restart very quickly,” Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO representative in Lebanon, told an online press conference after a damage assessment this week.
“So we are very hopeful,” he added, saying four hospitals in and around Beirut were among those that could restart quickly.
