KEY POINTS
- US airman critically injured after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in protest
- Hezbollah says it downed Israeli drone over Lebanese territory
- Hamas says optimism over new ceasefire-hostage deal not reflecting reality
Tensions in the Middle East continue to climb as the Israel-Hamas war entered its 143rd day – Iranian-backed Houthis are still attacking commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, while Lebanon-based and Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah risks an all-out war in Israel's northern front.
In war-torn Gaza, Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh revealed that he has submitted his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas amid increasing pressure from the U.S. to implement reforms within the PA as Washington races to help establish a political structure for a post-war Gaza.
- Armed Hamas operatives seizing humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians: Local media
- Greece approves military's participation in EU's Red Sea naval mission
- 2 Hezbollah militants killed in IDF strikes after downing of Israeli drone
- 'Prominent figure' assassinated in Israeli drone attack targeting car in Lebanon: Arab media
- Israeli delegation heads for Qatar in ceasefire-hostage deal push: Report
- Hezbollah confirms deaths of 2 members after Israeli airstrikes
- Missile barrage fired toward Golan from southern Lebanon: Arab media
- Israeli government reportedly discussed possible UNRWA alternative: Local report
U.S. forces with the Central Command (CENTCOM) downed Houthi assets in the Red Sea Sunday night, with the Yemeni rebel militia seemingly retaliating in a missile attack targeting an American tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
Hezbollah, which is a more powerful and heavily-armed terror organization than Hamas, claimed attacks on sites and "positioning points" belonging to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which has recently been reinforcing its northern units amid increasing rocket and missile launches from Lebanese territory.
Back in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli army has presented a "plan for evacuating" Gaza civilians from fighting zones in the devastated enclave. This comes amid increasing pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden to establish a clear plan that would secure the safety of civilians before a ground operation is conducted on overcrowded Rafah.
Less than two weeks before the raging war in Gaza enters its fifth month, some 130 hostages remain in Hamas captivity. They were taken from Israel during Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre of more than a thousand people.
Hamas' rampage in Israel stems from the violent history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that has left thousands dead and many more injured.
The live update has ended.
Israel reportedly seeking UNRWA alternative
The Israeli government has discussed searching for an alternative group that will distribute humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported Monday, citing an Israeli official.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) currently holds the said position, but it has been under increasing scrutiny following an Israeli exposé that alleged 12 of its personnel directly participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities.
Read the full story here.
Missile barrage from southern Lebanon toward Golan: Arab media
A "large missile salvo" has been fired from the eastern part of southern Lebanon towards the Golan Heights, Arab media reported Monday afternoon local time.
The report came shortly after Hezbollah confirmed that two of its members were killed earlier in the day.
Hezbollah announces deaths of 2 members after Israeli strikes
Hezbollah on Monday afternoon Beirut time announced the deaths of two members: Hassan Ali Younes and Ahmd Mohammad Sindian. The announcement came following reports that two Hezbollah militants were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley earlier in the day.
Israeli delegation heads for Qatar
A delegation of Israeli officials headed for Qatar Monday as part of the efforts to reach a ceasefire-hostage deal, a source told Reuters.
Among the officials heading to Qatar, where Hamas' political office is located, are military personnel and staff from Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad.
1 killed after Israeli drone targets car in southern Lebanon: Arab media
An Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in Al-Majadil near Tyre, southern Lebanon on Monday, Sky News in Arabic reported, as per a Google translation.
The outlet noted that the attack came about two hours after Israeli airstrikes killed two Hezbollah operatives in the Bekaa Valley, adding that one person was killed as a result of the car drone attack.
A "prominent figure" was assassinated in the drone strike, the outlet reported later, citing the Mayor of Al-Majadil, but no further details were provided.
The IDF has yet to deny or confirm the report.
2 Hezbollah members killed in Israeli strikes: Report
At least two Hezbollah members were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Monday, Reuters reported, citing sources in Lebanon.
Greece military joins EU Red Sea maritime taskforce
Greece on Monday approved its military's participation in the European Union's maritime mission in the Red Sea, as per a government spokesman.
The government said it was crucial for Greece to join the mission as the attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels have also had an impact on the activities of Greek-owned merchant ships.
Greece will send a frigate to the Red Sea in the coming days, Reuters reported, citing an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Armed Hamas militants seizing aid trucks: Local media
Armed Hamas operatives have been seizing humanitarian aid trucks that enter the Gaza Strip, local i24 News reported Friday, citing security sources.
This comes days after the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) said it was halting deliveries to the northern Gaza Strip following attacks on its humanitarian aid convoys that, at one point, led to one truck driver being beaten.
Optimism over potential new truce deal 'does not reflect reality': Senior Hamas official
The atmosphere of "optimism" regarding a possible new ceasefire deal that could free the remaining hostages in Gaza "does not reflect reality," Al Jazeera reported Sunday, citing a senior Hamas official.
This comes amid increasing pressure on Israel and Hamas to reach a truce agreement to end the fighting and free some 130 abductees still in captivity nearly five months into the war.
Hezbollah claims it downed Israeli drone
Following the supposed attack on IDF assets, Hezbollah on Monday said it shot down an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over Lebanese territory using a surface-to-air missile.
The Israeli has since confirmed that two missile launches targeted an Israeli Air Force (IAF) drone operating over Lebanon. However, it said in a thread on X (formerly Twitter) that the first one was intercepted by the "David's Sling" Aerial Defense System. The second launch caused the drone to fall within Lebanese territory, as per the IDF.
Active US airman critically injured after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy
An active member of the U.S. Air Force on Sunday sustained critical injuries after he set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, officials said. Media reports said the serviceman was protesting against the war in Gaza.
The serviceman reportedly yelled "Free Palestine!" until he fell on the ground as he livestreamed himself on Twitch.
Read the full story here.
IDF presents plan for Gaza civilian evacuation: Netanyahu
The Israeli prime minister early on Monday said the IDF has "presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from the areas of fighting in the Gaza Strip, and with the upcoming operational plan," seemingly indicating a plan for civilian safety ahead of a Rafah ground raid.
Prime Minister's Office Statement:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 26, 2024
The IDF presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from the areas of fighting in the Gaza Strip, and with the upcoming operational plan.
The planned ground operation in Rafah, an overcrowded city in southern Gaza, has been at center of issues between the Biden and Netanyahu governments. Washington wants Israel to ensure that a civilian protection plan is in place before the Israeli army launches a ground raid in the city where more than a million people are sheltering.
Hezbollah claims attacks on IDF sites
Iranian-backed Hezbollah late on Sunday said it attacked "sites and positioning points" belonging to the Israeli army on the Israel-Lebanon border.
The Iranian-backed militant organization has been launching near-daily rockets and missiles toward northern Israeli communities since the Israel-Hamas war started, resulting in the displacement of thousands of residents in the area.
The Israeli army has yet to deny or confirm the claim.
Houthis target American ship after US downs its drones over Red Sea
The U.S. military shot down two one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the southern Red Sea "in self-defense" Sunday night after the said drones were determined to present a threat to merchant shipping lanes and U.S. Navy ships, CENTCOM said Monday.
Red Sea Update
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 26, 2024
On Feb. 24 at 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), the Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile likely targeting the M/V Torm Thor, a U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil product tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The missile impacted the water… pic.twitter.com/JVbGmOO7Qo
The Iranian-backed Yemeni rebel militia later said it targeted "the American ship 'Torm Thor' in the Gulf of Aden with a number of appropriate naval missiles."
CENTCOM confirmed the attack, saying the U.S.-flagged, owned and operated chemical/oil tanker in the Gulf but the missile impacted the water and caused no damage or injuries to the ship and its crew.
Houthis target American ship after US downs its drones over Red Sea
The U.S. military shot down two one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the southern Red Sea "in self-defense" Sunday night after the said drones were determined to present a threat to merchant shipping lanes and U.S. Navy ships, CENTCOM said Monday.
Red Sea Update
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 26, 2024
On Feb. 24 at 11:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), the Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile likely targeting the M/V Torm Thor, a U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil product tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The missile impacted the water… pic.twitter.com/JVbGmOO7Qo
The Iranian-backed Yemeni rebel militia later said it targeted "the American ship 'Torm Thor' in the Gulf of Aden with a number of appropriate naval missiles."
CENTCOM confirmed the attack, saying the U.S.-flagged, owned and operated chemical/oil tanker in the Gulf but the missile impacted the water and caused no damage or injuries to the ship and its crew.
PA's Shtayyeh steps down
The PA's prime minister on Monday announced at the opening of a government meeting in the occupied West Bank's Ramallah that he has submitted his resignation to Abbas.
Shtayyeh said he was leaving his post to allow for the establishment of a broad agreement among Palestinians on how a post-Gaza should be governed when the war ends.
He said there was a need for new governmental arrangements that consider the "emerging reality" of Gaza, adding that the next stage of reaching such a consensus should include the "extension" of the PA's authority over the "entire land."
