KEY POINTS
- Nearly 200 UNRWA workers "active" in Hamas military branches: Israeli defense minister
- Palestinians crossing into Egypt should be "avoided at all costs," says UN high commissioner for refugees
- Egypt reportedly setting up contingency area in case of Israeli army's Rafah raid
On the 133rd day of the war in Gaza, tensions in the Middle East are escalating as fighting between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas continues.
A commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Forces was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The Iranian-backed terror group has since confirmed the death of Ali Muhammad Aldbas (Al-Debbes).
Hours after the Hezbollah commander's killing was confirmed, the powerful paramilitary organization claimed an attack on a "naval site" it said belonged to the Israeli army, located near the Israeli-Lebanese border.
- Vessel attack reported off Al Mukha, Yemen: UKMTO
- Many of the hostages are 'dead,' others living in 'very difficult' conditions: Arab media
- Israeli ground troops still operating inside Nasser Hospital: IDF
- US strikes Houthi missiles after British ship attacked at Gulf of Aden
- IDF discovers boxes of medicines for hostages at Nasser Hospital: Local media
- Israel's Herzog held a secret meeting with Qatari PM to discuss truce negotiations: Report
Following two straight days of peace in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis resumed their rampage, attacking a British merchant ship. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a commercial vessel was attacked.
Back in desolate Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back on Washington's calls for a Palestinian state. He said Palestinian statehood would be a "reward to terrorism."
His adamant stance on the matter draws from decades of violence in the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that ultimately erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas operatives plundered Israeli communities, murdering more than 1,200 people and abducting some 240 hostages, more than 130 of which are still being held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the embattled United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is faced with more questions as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed Friday that more than a thousand personnel of the humanitarian agency "are known to be active" within Hamas and its ally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
The live update has ended.
Israeli president met with Qatari PM to discuss hostage deal: Report
Israeli President Isaac Herzog had a secret meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to talk about negotiations for a ceasefire-hostage deal, Axios political reporter Barak Ravid reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Scoop: Israeli president Isaac Herzog held a secret meeting today with the prime minister of Qatar Mohammed Bin Abdul Rhaman al-Thani on the sidelines of the munich security conference to discuss the hostage negotiations, two source with knowledge of the meeting told me
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 16, 2024
This comes as Egyptian and Qatari mediators push Israel and Hamas to agree to a proposed ceasefire plan that could see the remaining hostages in Gaza freed.
Over 1,400 UNRWA workers 'active' within Hamas, PIJ: Gallant
The Israeli defense minister on Friday told reporters that there are "significant investigations based on intelligence" of more than 30 UNRWA personnel participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre. The said number is on top of the 12 earlier revealed in an Israeli exposé that led to the suspension of funding to UNRWA by some countries, including its top donor, the U.S.
Gallant went on to reveal that "1,468 [UNRWA] workers are known to be active in Hamas and PIJ," as per The Times of Israel. Of the said count, 185 staffers are "active" in Hamas military branches, while 51 are active in the PIJ's military arm, he revealed.
This comes amid increasing scrutiny of the Palestinian-centered humanitarian agency after allegations that 12 of its staffers directly participated in Hamas hostilities on Oct. 7. The IDF also uncovered a tunnel network under the agency's Gaza City headquarters.
Israel locates medicine boxes for hostages at Nasser Hospital: Local media
Israeli ground forces operating inside the Nasser Hospital found boxes of medicine that were intended for hostages in Hamas captivity, local media reported Friday, citing the IDF.
The loved ones of the hostages, whose names were written on the boxes, have been informed of the discovery, as per the Jerusalem Post. It appears the medication never reached the abductees, according to the report.
Local Channel 13 first reported about the discovery.
US strikes Houthi missiles after British ship attacked
Forces of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday conducted self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that were prepared to launch toward Red Sea shipping lanes, the U.S. military said Friday.
The strikes were carried out after the Barbados-flagged MV Lycavitos was attacked by Houthis earlier in the day.
Feb. 15 Summary of Red Sea Activities
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 16, 2024
On Feb. 15, at approximately 4:30 p.m., an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was headed toward MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk… pic.twitter.com/FxB1m29MPO
Over 20 arrested so far in Nasser Hospital raid: IDF
Israeli ground troops are still operating at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, the IDF said Friday morning. More than 20 "terrorists who participated" in the Oct. 7 carnage have been apprehended, the Israeli army added.
Israeli forces entered the medical facility Thursday after it received "credible intelligence" that there may be bodies of dead hostages within the hospital.
Read the full story here.
'Many dead' among hostages in Gaza: Report
There are "many dead among the Israeli detainees," Sky News Arabia reported Friday local time, citing a Hamas military spokesman. Abductees who remain alive are "living in very difficult conditions," as per the report.
The report comes amid talks for an elusive ceasefire deal that have yet to see significant progress.
Merchant ship attacked off Yemen: UKMTO
The UKMTO on Friday said it received a report of an attack northwest of Al Mukha in Yemen. A commercial vessel was attacked by a missile and there are reports of an "explosion in close proximity" to the ship.
UKMTO WARNING 031 UPDATE 001
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 16, 2024
ATTACKhttps://t.co/zHGNgQp1UB#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/dyZZuBr305
This comes a day after the Yemeni Houthi rebel militia claimed an attack on a "British" ship. The Iranian-backed militant group has been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea in what it says was a show of solidarity for Gaza.
Egypt preparing area at Gaza border in case of Rafah raid: Report
Egypt is preparing an area that could accommodate displaced Palestinians should the Israeli army pursue a ground offensive in Rafah that could prompt an exodus of civilians across the border, Reuters reported Friday, citing four sources.
The sources said it is a "contingency move" by the Egyptian government. Cairo has since denied such preparations. However, it has repeatedly raised concerns over the possible displacement of Gaza residents due to a Rafah raid.
Palestinian exodus into Egypt should be avoided 'at all costs': UN high commissioner
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations' high commissioner for refugees, on Friday said a Palestinian exodus from Gaza into Egypt must be "avoided at all costs," adding that Egypt has "very valid reasons" for its position regarding the entry of people into its territory.
Grandi was speaking at the Munich Security Conference when he said it would be "catastrophic" if Palestinians were to be displaced once more.
Nasrallah vows retribution after Israeli retaliatory strikes
Israel will pay, "the price for shedding their blood, in blood," Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Friday following Israeli strikes earlier this week that resulted in 11 people killed in Lebanon. "Blood for blood ... The terror of the north is coming," he added.
The strikes were carried out after a rocket barrage from Lebanese territory by Hezbollah killed one IDF soldier and injured at least eight others in Safed, northern Israel.
Netanyahu rejects 'unilateral recognition' of Palestinian state
The Israeli prime minister early on Friday said "Israel will continue to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state," as per a Google translation of his post on X (formerly Twitter).
He said such a recognition after the Oct. 7 massacre "would give a huge reward to unprecedented terrorism" and also block future Israeli-Palestinian peace settlements.
His comments come amid increasing pressure from Israel's staunch western ally, the U.S., for the establishment of a Palestinian state which it believes could finally resolve the deep-rooted Israel-Palestine conflict.
Houthis claim attack on British vessel
The Iranian-backed Houthis on Thursday said they attacked a British ship named Lycavitos while it was transiting the Gulf of Aden. Naval missiles were used to attack the ship, the rebel militia added.
The UKMTO confirmed that a merchant ship was attacked Thursday off of Aden in Yemen. An "explosion in close proximity to the vessel" was reported at the time." The ship and crew are safe.
UKMTO DAILY SUMMARY
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 15, 2024
1800UTC 14 Feb 2024 to 1800UTC 15 Feb 2024https://t.co/1BlSVkK6BX#Maritimesecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/06mkQhb0aF
The said Greek-owned bulk carrier is managed by Helikon Shipping Enterprises, as per Reuters. It has offices in different parts of the world, including in London.
The U.S. army has since confirmed that the MV Lycavitos was attacked.
Hezbollah claims attack on IDF 'naval site'
Hours after announcing the deaths of three Hezbollah members, including a Radwan Forces commander, the terror group claimed an attack targeting "the Ras Naquora naval site of the Israeli" army Thursday. The said area is located near the Israeli-Lebanese border, where near-daily fire exchanges have occurred since the Israel-Hamas war started.
IDF assassinates Radwan Forces commander and his deputy
The IDF on Thursday announced that an Israeli airstrike killed Aldbas, described as "a commander in Hezbollah's Radwan Forces," an elite unit in the Lebanon-based terrorist organization.
His deputy commander, Ibrahim Issa, was also killed in the said strike, the Israeli army said.
🔴Overnight, an IDF aircraft struck a Hezbollah military structure in Nabatieh—neutralizing a number of terrorists including: Ali Muhammad Aldbas, a commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces and his deputy commander, Ibrahim Issa.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 15, 2024
Aldbas was aided in directing the terrorist attack…
Aldbas is accused of "directing" a terror attack at the Megido Junction in March 2023. He also allegedly planned and operated "numerous attacks" since the war started.
Hezbollah has since confirmed the death of Aldabs, Issa, and Hussein Ahmed Aqeel, another member of the Iranian-backed militia.
With great pride and honor, the Islamic Resistance announces the martyrdom of
— حسن نصر الله (@SH_NasrallahEng) February 15, 2024
- Ali Mohammed Al-Debbes
- Hassan Ibrahim Issa
- Hussein Ahmed Aqeel
who rose as martyrs on the road to Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/EWnR4v6x91
