President Joe Biden has stated that he will not support an Israeli attack on Iran‘s nuclear sites. This comes after a phone call with fellow Group of Seven leaders to discuss imposing new sanctions on Iran. Iran has responded to the killing of Hezbollah‘s leader and top commanders by launching a missile barrage. They also mentioned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas, in a suspected Israeli attack in July. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Iran, stating that they “made a big mistake” and will pay for it. However, Biden has made it clear that he does not support an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites as retaliation. He also reiterated the United States’ support for Israel and its people.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the British government has chartered more flights to help UK nationals leave Lebanon. These flights will continue as long as the security situation allows and the government is working to increase capacity on commercial flights for British nationals. The UK has also deployed 700 troops, Foreign Office staff, and Border Force officers to a military base in Cyprus to assist with evacuation plans. British nationals and their families are eligible for these flights, but non-British dependents will need a valid visa for a maximum six-month stay in the UK.
In a tragic turn of events, an Israeli airstrike in the residential Bashoura district of Beirut killed seven health and rescue workers. The strike targeted an apartment in a building that houses an office of the Health Society, a group of civilian first responders affiliated with Hezbollah. This is the second airstrike to hit central Beirut this week and the second to directly target the Health Society in 24 hours. The Israeli military did not issue a warning before the strike, and they have not yet responded to requests for comment. While most of Israel’s airstrikes have been concentrated in southern and eastern Lebanon, they have also targeted central Beirut and other areas, resulting in civilian casualties.
In response to the escalating conflict, Japan has dispatched two Self Defense Force planes to prepare for a possible airlift of Japanese citizens. The situation in the region remains tense, and it is important for all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution.