2,000 Hezbollah terror infrastructure destroyed, 440 terrorists killed

 

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari on Saturday night gave a press briefing, reporting on the events of the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday and the following Shabbat (Sabbath).

"We are pushing Hezbollah northwards," he said in a statement. "Some of the terrorists have escaped, some of them are defeated by our forces in face-to-face clashes."

"Since the start of the ground invasion, around 440 Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated, including 30 commanders of varying ranks."

Hagari also noted that a Hezbollah terror tunnel that did not cross into Israeli territory had been destroyed.

According to an IDF statement, the Paratroopers Brigade, Yahalom Unit and the Northern Command Combat Engineering Unit, under the command of the 98th Division, destroyed 250 meters of underground terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The underground infrastructure was identified and investigated during cross-border operations conducted in recent weeks in coordination with special units.

IDF troops uncovered command centers, terrorist combat packs, and a large number of weapons designated to be used in an invasion by Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces into Israel. They also found living quarters equipped with showers, a kitchen, and stockpiles of food.

"The underground infrastructure did not cross into Israeli territory," Hagari stressed, noting that it reached 300 meters from the Lebanon-Israel border.

He noted that the tunnel had been intended for use in an invasion into northern Israel.

The IDF added that it was sealed by the Northern Command Combat Engineering Unit and the Yahalom Unit in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense Department of Engineering and Construction.

"The soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade continue to fight in southern Lebanon, navigating complex, mountainous, and dense terrain. Inside a Hezbollah stronghold used by the terrorist organization as a base to carry out attacks on Israeli civilians, the soldiers uncovered hundreds of weapons," an IDF statement stressed, adding that "the soldiers also eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters combat and directed aerial strikes."

Trump tells Israel to 'hit' Iran's nuclear sites 'first' and 'worry about the rest later'

 

 

Donald Trump has urged Israel to strike Iran's nuclear program first and 'worry about the rest later' amid fears Netanyahu will retaliate against Iran for a previous missile attack. 

 Earlier this week, the Israeli military confirmed that Iran had unleashed a barrage of missiles into Israel earlier this week -with the Islamic Republic defying warnings that any such attack would invite 'severe consequences'. Air raid sirens sounded as some 181 missiles began raining down on Israel, many lighting up the night sky in bright orange flame as they were intercepted by Israel's 'Iron Dome' defense system.

Amid fears how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu will respond as tensions grow with Lebanon, Trump has encouraged the country to strike 'first'. 

Whilst campaigning in North Carolina, Trump had a more provocative response when asked about Biden's answer to the possibility of Israel targeting Iran's nuclear program.

'They asked him, "what do you think about Iran, would you hit Iran?' And he goes, "As long as they don't hit the nuclear stuff." That's the thing you want to hit, right?' Trump told a town hall style event in Fayetteville, near a major US military base.

'Biden got that one wrong,' Trump said. 'When they asked him that question, the answer should have been, hit the nuclear first, and worry about the rest later.'

When asked the same question earlier, President Joe Biden said Benjamin Netanyahu 'should remember' US support for Israel when deciding on next steps.

During a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, he said: 'If I were in their shoes, I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields.'

Biden added that the Israelis 'have not concluded how they're or what they're going to do' in retaliation for a huge ballistic missile attack by Iran on Israel on Tuesday.

This comes as a Lebanese hospital said its been shelled by Israeli forces after being warned to evacuate, as an IDF airstrike left two huge craters in a road linking Lebanon and Syria. 

Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon has claimed yesterday's attack resulted in nine members of staff being wounded- most sustaining serious injuries. Most hospital staff were evacuated.

It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) claimed 28 health workers in Lebanon had been killed in a 24-hour time frame on Thursday.

But the Israeli military alleged that rescue vehicles were being used by Hezbollah to transport militants and weapons.

On the same day as the hospital attack, a devastating Israeli airstrike cut off a main highway linking Lebanon with Syria on Friday, leaving two huge holes on both sides of the road. 

The air assault made the road unusable. forcing people to flee to the Massna Border Crossing on foot. 

Over the past two weeks thousands of people fleeing war in Lebanon have crossed through the border into Syria.

Israel’s latest attack on Beirut cuts off crossing between Lebanon and Syria

 

Israel’s latest attack on Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut has cut off a key crossing with Syria, as tens of thousands of people look to escape the growing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the overnight strike early Friday was the military’s effort “to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Lebanese territories, IAF fighter jets, directed by the IDF Intelligence Directorate, struck an underground tunnel crossing from the Lebanese border into Syria.” 

The IDF noted that the targeted tunnel allowed the Lebanese militant group to transfer and store “large quantities of weapons underground.” Israel has also claimed to have killed 100 Hezbollah fighters in the last 24 hours, The Associated Press reported.

The attack alongside the Lebanon-Syria border forced the closure of a road near the Masnaa Border Crossing, according to the AP.

The Israeli military also said Friday that they killed the commander of the 4400 Unit, Mohammed Jaafar Katzir. 

The attack, which was condemned by Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comes as Israel began limited ground incursions into Lebanon on earlier this week. The operation came after heavy airstrikes in the region.

Those strikes, which have killed more than 1,000 people, most of them terrorists, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and a bevy of other top officials, and recent deadly pager and hand-held radio attacks in Lebanon have raised fears that a wider war is inevitable.

Roundup of Israeli News Over Chag & Shabbos!

 

Nasrallah's heir to the Hezbollah throne was killed, as well as hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.

Two Golani soldiers were killed and 24 more were injured by an Iraqi missile in Ramat HaGolan.

The IDF confirmed that the head of Hamas in Gaza was killed several months ago.

At least 14 terrorists who were planning an attack were killed in Tulkarem.

Israel indicates that preparations are being made for an attack on Iran.

There were approximately 800 missiles fired at Israel.

Nasrallah temporarily buried amid fears Israel will strike public funeral

 

A source close to Hezbollah said Friday that the Lebanese terror group’s slain chief Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried in a secret location for fear Israel would target a large funeral.

“Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried until the circumstances allow for a public funeral,” the source said after an Israeli strike killed the leader last week.

The source said a public funeral had been impossible to hold “for fear of Israeli threats they would target mourners and the place of his burial.”

airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs. (AFP)

A source close to Hezbollah said Friday that the Lebanese terror group’s slain chief Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried in a secret location for fear Israel would target a large funeral.

“Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried until the circumstances allow for a public funeral,” the source said after an Israeli strike killed the leader last week.

The source said a public funeral had been impossible to hold “for fear of Israeli threats they would target mourners and the place of his burial.”

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Shiite Muslim rites provide for such a temporary burial when circumstances prevent a proper funeral or the deceased cannot be buried where they wished.

A Lebanese official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Hezbollah had, through top Lebanese officials, sought but failed to obtain “guarantees” from the United States, a key ally of Israel, that Israel would not target a public funeral.

Amid intensifying Israeli bombardment of Hezbollah-controlled areas, a massive strike on its south Beirut stronghold on September 27 killed Nasrallah alongside an an Iranian general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel said it killed around 400 members of the Iran-backed terror group.

His cousin Hashem Safieddine, a prominent Hezbollah figure touted as the successor, was reportedly killed in an  Israeli airstrike late Thursday on south Beirut. 

Biden Opposes Israel Striking Iran’s Oil Fields

 

During the first Friday press conference of his presidency, President Joe Biden has indicated that he opposes any attacks on Iran’s oil fields, as a retaliatory strike by Israel appears imminent.

On Tuesday, Iran launched a missile attack deep into the heart of Israel in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israel Defense Forces has promised to launch a “significant retaliation” inching the region closer to a full-scale war between Israel and Iran.

“The Israelis have not concluded what they are going to do. That’s under discussion. If I were in their shoes, I would be thinking about other alternatives than striking Iranian oil fields,” Biden said in a press conference at the White House.

The complete guide to all airline flight cancellations to Israel

 

The past few weeks have been significant for the aviation and tourism sector in Israel, with over twenty airlines canceling flights to Israel amid Iranian threats of retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and the more recent elimination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, followed by the Iranain attack on Israel.

In a significant development, the European Union issued an official recommendation on Saturday advising against flying in Lebanese and Israeli airspace until Oct. 31. The unusual recommendation, typically given only in exceptional circumstances, applies to flights landing, taking off, or passing through the area and is expected to have a substantial impact on air traffic in the region.

Minutes after the EU's announcement, Wizz Air and Air Europa announced flight cancellations to Israel. Air Europa canceled flights for the following day, while Wizz Air suspended flights for the next 48 hours. Other airlines are expected to make similar decisions, potentially further reducing the already limited flight options to and from Israel.

The EU's recommendation comes just days before the holiday season in Israel, during which many Israelis had planned to travel abroad. This timing could significantly disrupt travel plans for thousands of people.

Moreover, many Israelis currently abroad may face difficulties returning home. One traveler stranded in Cyprus reported, "Our flight was canceled minutes before takeoff. We're trying to find an alternative solution, but it's not cheap. We hope everything will be alright and we'll be able to return to Israel soon with minimal loss." If the cancellation trend continues, many Israelis might struggle to return from abroad in time for Rosh Hashana.

Which other international airlines have canceled flights to Israel, and until when? We've organized the information for you in an article that will be updated based on developments and decisions made by the airlines.

IDF Eliminates Hezbollah's "Hashem"

An Israeli security source on Saturday confirmed to Sky News Arabic that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's successor, Hashem Safieddine, was eliminated in a Friday night strike.

According to Al Hadath, commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were eliminated together with Safieddine.

On Friday, Israel estimated that Safieddine was injured in the strike, since those who were with him in the underground area which was struck could not have escaped the site alive. In addition, it is estimated that alongside Safieddine, senior Hezbollah intelligence officials were also present at the site and were also injured.

Safieddine, 60, is a cousin of Nasrallah and last month was appointed his successor. Prior to his appointment, Safieddine served as the head of Hezbollah's Executive Council. He is Nasrallah's cousin from his mother's side. His brother, Abdullah, is Hezbollah's envoy to Iran.

In addition, Safieddine is one of six clerics currently serving on Hezbollah's Shura Council. His son, Said Ridah, is married to Zayneb Soleimani, the daughter of former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was eliminated in 2020.

Five of Jaffa terror attack victims released; sixth victim identified as Greek citizen

Inbar Segev Vigder, Shahar Goldman, Revital Bronstein, Nadia Sokalenko and Ilya Nozadze from Georgia, were murdered on Tuesday in the shooting attack on the light rail on Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa.

Two others were murdered, but have not yet been named. Three others were injured very severely, and were evacuated to the hospitals.

Shahar Goldman, 30 years old from Lod, is survived by her husband Tai, her sisters Astar, Dikla and Merav, and her parents Avraham and Ruth Goldman.

Inbar Segev Vigder, 33 years old from Jaffa. Survived by a baby of only nine months, Ari, whom she protected during the attack and who survived. Inbar was a fitness trainer and physical education teacher. Just yesterday, after the IDF entered Lebanon, she posted a prayer for the peace of the soldiers on Instagram.

Revital Bronstein, 24 years old from Bat Yam. Revital, the only daughter of her mother Liora, was an outstanding student for a master's degree in computer science. In high school she won prestigious awards for her work in the fields of computers and AI. She was also a gifted comic artist.

Nadia Sokalenko, 40 years old, from Tel Aviv, was a stylist. She is survived by her husband Vadim and a daughter, six year old Maya. She also has a mother who is living in Moldova and a sister in Denmark.

Ilya Nozadze, a 42-year-old Georgian citizen, was also murdered in the attack. He was hit by three bullets and was taken to Ichilov Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead. Ilya, a truck driver, lived in the city of Khashuri in Georgia with his wife and two children, aged 17 and 14. The Georgian Embassy in Israel is flying his body for burial in his country.

The IDF spokesman announced this morning that a female soldier was seriously injured in the attack. "She was taken to a hospital for medical treatment and her family has been informed," he added. In the Jaffa attack, as mentioned, seven people were murdered, and 15 others were injured to varying degrees.

Eric Marchenkov (22), who was wounded by two bullets in his back on the light rail, said that "the mother hugged her baby. This was the most powerful picture of a mother hugging her baby covered in blood. It is a miracle that the baby is alive from all the bullets that were flying there. The mother was hit, but he survived."

The attack was perpetrated by Mohammed Ragev and Hassin Tamimi, two illegal residents from Hebron. A preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorists, one of whom was armed with a standard M-16 weapon and the other with a knife, attacked passengers on the light rail and opened fire on them. They later shot at a group of people on the street. The injured were evacuated by MDA teams to Wolfson hospitals in Holon and Ichilov in Tel Aviv.

 

Hysterical!! CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour says Iran 'doesn't want conflict' At Exact Moment Iran Was Raining Missiles on Israel

 

CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour has sparked outrage as she insisted that Iran does not want conflict at the exact moment the nation was raining missiles on Israel. 

The British-Iranian journalist claimed live on air that the Islamic Republic does not want its conflict with Israel to 'escalate,' and suggested the Jewish state is to blame for Tuesday's attack.

'Nobody, nobody, not the Lebanese nor the Iranians want this to escalate even further. Iran does not want an Israeli or a U.S. war against it. It is unlikely to be able to resist that, it does not want it,' Amanpour told Dana Bash

'The Iranian foreign minister told me in New York during the United Nations that they were showing restraint and that Hezbollah was showing restraint as well, and that it wanted, you know, to de-escalate all of this... That was the word also from the podium at the United Nations by the Iranian president.'

Just minutes before Amanpour's statements, her colleague Jim Sciutto was forced to abandon his position on a roof in Tel Aviv as the missiles got closer. 

Amanpour went on to say Iran 'felt it had no choice' but to strike Israel after the Jewish state conducted assassinations of Hezbollah members in Lebanon.

'Now, Hezbollah is not there, you know, Iran is not there to protect Hezbollah. It's the opposite,' she said.

'Hezbollah is meant to be the frontline troops of Iran. So this response from Iran is more likely because it feels it has been left no choice.'

Social media users quickly took to X to slam Amanpour for her comments given the timing.

Commentary magazine editor John Podhoretz shared several posts about Amanpour's analysis.

'Iran doesn't want more escalation, says Christiane Amanpour as hundreds of ballistic missiles rain down on Israel because she's either insane or evil,' he wrote.

'Christiane Amanpour on CNN right now talking about how Hezbollah wanted a ceasefire and mean Israel wouldn't allow it. Her role as a propagandist for evil is now escalating.

Podhoretz added: 'My recommendation to CNN is to get Christiane Amanpour off the air before she starts singing the Iranian National Anthem. 

'Amanpour now directly blaming Israel for the strike because of Netanyahu speech to the Iranian people. Because, you know, Israel launched missiles at Iran.' 

Amanpour had previously said that 'So far, there is no evidence that anything has landed, that it is being intercepted according to our correspondents on the ground.'

She also suggested Iran's attack was not meant to kill civilians, citing reports that the US and Israel had 'assessed that the targets would be three Israeli air bases, and an intelligence base.' 

Iran launched dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday, sharply escalating a conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas that began nearly a year ago and threatening to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war.

The orange glow of missiles streaked across Israel's night sky as air raid sirens sounded across the country and millions of residents scrambled into bomb shelters. The attack raised the strong likelihood of an Israeli reprisal.

Before Iran's attack, Israel had landed a series of devastating blows in recent weeks against Hezbollah's leadership in Lebanon. It then ratcheted up the pressure on the militant group — which has been firing rockets into Israel since the war in Gaza began — by launching what it said is a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.

Israel has said it will continue to strike Hezbollah until it is safe for citizens displaced from homes near the Lebanon border to return. Hezbollah has vowed to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.