Latest news with #Arabic-language
Gulf Insider
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Israel Pummels South Lebanon In Biggest Airstrikes Since November Hezbollah Ceasefire
In an dangerous sign that hostilities involving Iran and Israel could quickly ratchet again, Israel on Friday is pounding southern Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah is entrenched, in the biggest escalation there since a November ceasefire was agreed to. Massive plumes of smoke have been observed over the region, with Lebanon's official National News Agency reporting that a residential building in Nabatieh was directly struck, resulting in the death of at least one person and the wounding of 21 more. Local media further says there over twenty strikes in only under 15-minutes, making it the most intense attack in well over six months. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed what it said were airstrikes targeting a 'significant underground project' used by Hezbollah. The statement touted that the site was 'completely taken out of use' following the strikes, But questions remain as the IDF said that it targeted a Hezbollah site identified as Beaufort Ridge, which actually lies some five miles from Nabatieh. 'In recent days, the IDF identified attempts by the Hezbollah terror organization to restore the site, and therefore the terror infrastructure in the area was struck,' the Israeli military said. The IDF further claimed the 'presence of this site and the attempts to reestablish it constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.' This statement suggests the Israel-Hezbollah truce could be on the brink of failure. This could also be the result of Israeli frustration at President Trump having enforced an Iran ceasefire – given that Israeli leaders were telling the public to expect 'weeks' more of air attacks on the Islamic Republic. As for current allegations of attacks on Lebanese residential buildings, Israel's military claims 'The IDF did not target any civilian building,' according to the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman. BREAKING | An Israeli drone bombs a house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, southern warplanes also bombed between the southern Lebanese villages of Zrarieh and Ansar. — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 27, 2025 'According to the information we have, the building was hit by a rocket projectile that was stored at the site, and was launched and exploded as a result of the airstrike,' he said.
Ya Libnan
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Israel strikes Lebanon in one of biggest attacks since November ceasefire
One person died and 21 others were injured, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. Israel said it was targeting an underground Hezbollah site. By Rachel Chason , Suzan Haidamous , Mohamad El Chamaa and Lior Soroka BEIRUT — Israel pounded southern Lebanon with a series of airstrikes Friday in what analysts and officials on the ground said were some of the most significant strikes since Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November. Video showed massive plumes of gray smoke rising above a hilltop, and Lebanon's official National News Agency reported an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Nabatieh. The Washington Post was unable to immediately verify who or what struck the residential building in Nabatieh; neither the Israel Defense Forces nor Lebanon's government responded to requests for comment. Lebanon's Health Ministry said one person was killed and 21 were injured during the strikes. The National News Agency reported there were more than 20 hits in under 15 minutes. The Israel Defense Forces said Israeli air force fighter jets targeted a 'significant underground project' used by Hezbollah in the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon. The site was 'completely taken out of use' following the strikes, the IDF said. Beaufort Ridge is about five miles from Nabatieh. In a separate Arabic-language statement , spokesman Avichay Adraee said the IDF did not target a civilian building. Instead, he said, a rocket, stored by Hezbollah inside the building, 'was launched and hit the civilian building' as a result of Israel's strike. Adraee accused Hezbollah of endangering civilians by not giving up its arsenal to the Lebanese government, saying he expected the Lebanese military to confiscateHezbollah's weapons. Lebanon's government, which has pledged to implement the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, condemned the attacks, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam saying they represented 'a blatant violation of national sovereignty … and pose a threat to the stability we are keen to preserve.' Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel 'continues to flout regional and international resolutions' and called on the international community to intervene. The Trump administration argues a ceasefire between Israel and Iran could help secure peace on Israel's other fronts , including Gaza, as well as lead to normalization agreements with some of Israel's Arab neighbors. But in southern Lebanon, even since the two sides agreed to a ceasefire seven months ago, Israeli strikes have remained a near-daily occurrence, analysts say. In its Friday statement, Israel said Hezbollah had been making 'rehabilitation attempts' in southern Lebanon; the November ceasefire deal required Lebanese forces to ensure that all Hezbollah infrastructure is removed from the area. Between Nov. 27 — the day after the deal was announced — and June 9, 172 Lebanese deaths and 409 injuries have been reported as a result of Israeli attacks, said Hussein Chaabane, a Beirut-based investigative journalist with Legal Agenda who has been tracking the strikes. Chaabane's toll does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Despite a mid-February deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw, the IDF has remained in five strategic positions in southern Lebanon close to the border. And entire areas in the south have become 'unofficial buffer zones,' where residents who dare to travel face sniper fire and drone strikes by the IDF, Chaabane said. He said the strikes on Friday were significant — and caused fear in the surrounding community — because of the size of the explosions. 'What is happening is more than just the ceasefire being violated,' Chaabane said. 'It is the transformation of the south of Lebanon. … It has become a de facto security strip.' The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Chaabane's report. Hassan Wazni, the director of Nabih Berri Governmental Hospital, said the strikes were so strong that they shook the ground, reminding him of the period of heavy strikes last year David Wood, a Lebanon analyst with the International Crisis Group, said that while some people in other parts of the country feel the war has ended, 'that has never been the case in southern Lebanon.' 'There is a feeling that the ceasefire doesn't protect them, that Israel is doing whatever it pleases in a military sense, and that the United States — which is the chair of the monitoring committee — is allowing them to do so,' he said. He referred to a committee including representatives from Lebanon, Israel, France, the United States and the United Nations that is charged with monitoring violations of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Wood added that the longer the strikes continue and civilians are killed, the more frustration in southern Lebanon could grow, including with the new government for failing to protect its residents. 'The longer this goes on and the state can't protect them,' he warned, 'the more likely people are to turn to Hezbollah and groups like it that could emerge.' WASHINGTON POST
Roya News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Roya News
Daesh supporter charged over Taylor Swift 2024 Austria concert terror plot
A young Syrian national has been charged in Germany with supporting a terrorist organization in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024, federal prosecutors confirmed this week. The suspect, identified only as Mohammad A due to his age, is reportedly not in custody but is facing charges related to his alleged support of Daesh. German authorities say he played a role in aiding a co-conspirator in Austria with plans to target Swift's Eras Tour performance. According to the federal prosecutor's office, Mohammad A had embraced Daesh ideology by at least April 2024 and began communicating with an Austrian suspect, Beran A, during the summer. Between July and August, investigators say the pair exchanged messages related to a bombing plot targeting the pop star's scheduled concerts at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium, which were expected to draw over 65,000 fans across three days. The concerts were abruptly canceled just before the first show, leaving fans disappointed and sparking questions. At the time, authorities revealed multiple arrests and cited concerns about plots inspired by Daesh and Al-Qaeda. Mohammad A is accused of translating Arabic-language bomb-making instructions and helping the Austrian suspect connect with Daesh operatives abroad. He also allegedly drafted an oath of allegiance to Daesh on behalf of the main suspect. That suspect, 20-year-old Beran A of Ternitz, was arrested in Austria shortly before the concerts, following a tip-off from the CIA. US intelligence reportedly warned that the suspects aimed to inflict mass casualties. Authorities believe Beran A had also considered an earlier attack in Dubai in March 2024, as part of a possible triad of Daesh-coordinated strikes, but backed out at the last moment.
CairoScene
a day ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Arab Podcast Programme Launches 2nd Edition in Dubai This July
The five-week course, organised by Dubai Press Club, aims to equip emerging and experienced Arabic-language podcasters with the skills to produce, market, and grow their content. Jun 27, 2025 Dubai Press Club has announced the launch of the second edition of its Arab Podcast Programme, a five-week initiative set to begin on July 7th. The programme is designed to support podcast creators across the Arab world by offering practical training in content development, audio production, and audience engagement. The course includes workshops and mentorship sessions covering the entire podcasting process - from idea generation and scripting to recording, editing, and monetisation. The programme is part of Dubai's wider strategy to invest in Arabic digital content and foster innovation in regional storytelling. Registration is now open, and interested participants can apply through the Dubai Press Club website.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Syrian teen charged for plot to attack Taylor Swift Vienna concert
German prosecutors have charged a Syrian teenager with supporting a foreign terrorist organisation over his alleged involvement in planning a thwarted bombing at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last year. The suspect, identified as Mohammad A, is accused of assisting a would-be attacker by translating Arabic-language bomb-making instructions and facilitating contact with a member of the Islamic State (IS) terror group via online channels. The Federal Prosecutor's Office said in a statement on Friday that the juvenile had been an adherent of IS ideology since at least April 2024 and was in close contact with an Austrian suspect between mid-July and August that year. The alleged plan targeted Swift's concerts at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, where she was scheduled to perform three shows in August 2024. Authorities disrupted the suspected plot and made multiple arrests at the time, leading to the cancellation of all three performances. 'Mohammad A has adhered to the ideology of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) since April 2024 at the latest,' the prosecutor's statement read. 'Between mid-July and August 2024, he was in contact with a young Austrian who was planning a bomb attack on a concert by singer Taylor Swift in Vienna.' The incident sent shockwaves through Austria and prompted the government to act. Earlier this month, the country's ruling coalition agreed to expand police surveillance powers by allowing access to encrypted messaging apps used by terror suspects—addressing what officials called a 'dangerous blind spot' in Austria's counterterrorism efforts. (With inputs from Reuters)
