Press TV – November 20, 2024
US vetoes UNSC resolution calling for 'unconditional, permanent' ceasefire in Gaza
The United States has vetoed another draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Fourteen member states voted in favor of the draft resolution on Wednesday, but it was blocked by the US, the Israeli regime’s main ally.
The resolution had been put forward by the Security Council’s 10 non-permanent members.
The resolution called for “safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance” including in the besieged northern Gaza. It denounced any attempt to starve the Palestinians.
The Palestinian delegation at the United Nations suggested the text did not go far enough.
“Gaza's fate will haunt the world for generations to come,” Ambassador Riyad Mansour warned.
The Palestinian diplomat said the only course of action for the Security Council is to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.
Since the beginning of the Israeli campaign of death and destruction on October 7, 2023, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power multiple times.
The few resolutions that the United States did allow to pass by abstaining stopped short of calling for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire.
In March, the Council called for a temporary end to the hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but this appeal was ignored by the Tel Aviv regime.
In June, the 15-member body pledged to support a resolution that laid out a multi-stage ceasefire that ultimately went nowhere.
Some diplomats had expressed optimism that President Joe Biden might be more flexible in his few remaining weeks in power.
They hope for a repeat of December 2016, when then President Barack Obama’s second term was finishing and the Council passed a resolution calling for a halt to the Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories.
The United States refrained from using its veto then, something seen as a departure from the unqualified support for the Israeli regime.
“Wake up from pretend slumber!”
China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong said during the session that each time the United States had exercised its veto to protect Israel, the number of people killed in Gaza had steadily risen.
“How many more people have to die before they wake up from their pretend slumber?”
“Insistence on setting a precondition for ceasefire is tantamount to giving the green light to continue the war and condoning the continued killing.”
“Shocking but not surprising”
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said, “It is shocking that the US has vetoed an effort to save the lives of Palestinians and Israelis.”
“Though perhaps we should not be surprised about it.”
Al Mayadeen – November 20, 2024
Israel commits massacre in Syria's Tadmor; 36 killed, 50 injured
New Israeli occupation aggression targets the city of Palmyra (Tadmor) in the eastern Homs countryside, striking residential buildings and the industrial area.
"Israel" carries out yet another aggression on Syria, this time targeting Tadmor, mainly striking residential buildings and resulting in scores of fatalities and injuries.
At least 36 people were killed and 50 others were injured as the Israeli enemy launched an aerial aggression from the direction of the al-Tanf area, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Tadmor in the Syrian desert, a military source revealed.
"At approximately 1:30 pm today, the Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack from the direction of the al-Tanf area, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, which led to the martyrdom of 36 people, the injury of more than 50 others, and massive material damage to the targeted buildings and the surrounding area," the source said.
Earlier, the Syrian news agency SANA reported that the Israeli occupation carried out an aggression on the city of Tadmor in the eastern Homs countryside, targeting residential buildings and the industrial area.
In an initial toll, Syrian media reported six injuries resulting from the Israeli aggression on Tadmor and its surroundings.
A few days ago, a Syrian military source confirmed the martyrdom of 15 people and the injury of six others, including women and children, with significant material damage to private property and the targeted and surrounding buildings, due to an Israeli attack on several residential buildings in the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus and the Qudsaya area in Damascus countryside.
Recently, the Israeli occupation has intensified its assaults on Syria, with most attacks concentrated in the capital Damascus, its countryside, and the city of Homs.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously condemned the Israeli aggression, affirming that the occupation's continuous targeting of civilian areas is "a result of the lack of any serious action to curb it," and reiterated its call for the United Nations to "urgently take decisive measures to halt the aggression and hold its perpetrators accountable."
PIJ mourns leaders assassinated in Israeli aggression on Syria
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced the martyrdom of two of its leaders in the Israeli aggression that targeted the Syrian capital of Damascus on November 14.
Political Bureau Chief Abdel Aziz Said al-Minawi (Abu Saeed) and Arab Relations Officer Rasmi Abu Issa (Abu Issam) were assassinated alongside a cadre of their comrades in the treacherous Israeli attack on civilian offices and apartments in Damascus last Thursday.
Their bodies were retrieved at dawn on November 16.
"While we take pride in our martyred leaders and fighters, we affirm that the enemy's treachery and crimes will only make us more determined and resolute in continuing the resistance until we thwart the enemy's goals and defeat the occupation from our land," a statement released by the movement read.
Al Mayadeen – November 20, 2024
US pressuring Doha to force Hamas into partial Gaza deals: Source
A senior Palestinian source tells Al Mayadeen that Washington wants Doha to force Hamas to accept the partial proposals that the group had previously rejected regarding a prisoner-captive exchange deal.
The US administration is exerting significant pressure on Qatar regarding the Hamas movement, a senior Palestinian source confirmed to Al Mayadeen on Wednesday.
The source indicated that Washington wants Doha to force Hamas to accept the partial proposals that the Palestinian group had previously rejected regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner-captive exchange deal.
The US administration believes that Hamas' presence in Qatar grants it political leverage that Washington does not desire, the source pointed out.
Hamas sources deny leaders leaving Qatar for Turkiye
Sources within Hamas have denied reports circulated by some Israeli media outlets claiming that the movement's leadership has relocated from Qatar to Turkiye.
The sources confirmed that these reports are mere rumors that the Israeli occupation tries to spread from time to time.
Additionally, a diplomatic source in Ankara denied Monday the reports regarding the relocation of Hamas' political bureau to Turkiye.
"Members of the Hamas political office visit Turkiye from time to time. The allegations that the Hamas political bureau has moved to Turkiye are not true," the source indicated.
Moreover, sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied claims that the Hamas Political Bureau has relocated to Turkiye, according to Anadolu Agency.
"The claims that the Hamas Political Bureau has relocated to Turkiye do not reflect the truth," the sources said.
Qatar says reports about Hamas office in Doha are 'inaccurate'
Earlier, The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing an Arab diplomat, that senior members of the Palestinian Hamas movement have moved from Qatar to Turkiye after Doha suspended its mediation efforts regarding a ceasefire and a prisoner-captive exchange deal between "Israel" and Hamas, citing a lack of genuine commitment to negotiation.
A couple of weeks ago, sources told Al Mayadeen that Hamas has not received any request to leave the Qatari capital.
"Communications between the Hamas leadership and Qatari officials remain ongoing," the sources confirmed, noting that the Palestinian movement has developed alternative plans to potentially relocate its offices if necessary.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously declared that recent reports about the Hamas office in Doha were "inaccurate", stressing that the primary purpose of the office is to serve as a communication channel between concerned parties.
Al Mayadeen – November 20, 2024
Hezbollah launches rocket, artillery, drone strikes on Israeli bases
Hezbollah's latest operations come in parallel with US special envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for ceasefire talks.
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced Wednesday a series of operations against Israeli military targets and repelling ongoing Israeli attempts to advance into southern Lebanese towns and villages.
The operations saw Hezbollah launching rocket, artillery, and drone strikes at groupings of Israeli occupation forces in southern Lebanese towns and military bases in occupied territory.
The group said its fighters targeted at 12:10 am a grouping of Israeli occupation forces at the Jal al-Deir site, opposite the town of Maroun al-Ras, with a rocket barrage.
The Islamic Resistance also confirmed that its fighters targeted at 12:15 am another grouping of Israeli forces at the al-Marj site (in the vicinity of Wadi Hounin), opposite the town of Markaba, with a rocket barrage.
At the same time, Hezbollah fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli troops on the southern outskirts of the town of Chama with artillery shells.
Later, at 6:10 am, Islamic Resistance fighters launched an aerial attack using a swarm of one-way drones on a logistics base belonging to the 146th Division of the Israeli occupation military, located north of Sheikh Danun, east of Nahariya.
Five minutes later, Hezbollah launched another drone attack on the Shraga base--the administrative headquarters of the Golani Brigade--located north of the occupied city of Akka. The group said both drone attacks successfully struck their targets with precision.
The group also announced that it targeted at noon the Israeli-occupied city of Safad with a barrage of rockets.
At 1:00 pm and 2: pm, the Islamic Resistance fighters also targeted groupings of Israeli forces south of the town of Khiam with barrages of rockets.
Operations Overview:
- At 12:10 am, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli occupation forces at the Jal al-Deir site, opposite the town of Maroun al-Ras, with a rocket barrage.
- At 12:15 am, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli occupation forces at the al-Marj site (in the vicinity of Wadi Hounin), opposite the town of Markaba, with a rocket barrage.
- At 12:15 am, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli troops on the southern outskirts of the town of Chama with artillery shells.
- At 6:10 am, Islamic Resistance fighters launched an aerial attack using a swarm of one-way drones on a logistics base belonging to the 146th Division of the Israeli occupation military, located north of Sheikh Danun, east of Nahariya.
- At 6:15 am, Islamic Resistance fighters launched an aerial attack using a swarm of one-way drones on the Shraga base - the administrative headquarters of the Golani Brigade - located north of the occupied city of Akka.
- At 12:00 pm, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Israeli-occupied city of Safad with a barrage of rockets.
- At 1:00 pm, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces south of the town of Khiam with a barrage of rockets.
- At 2:00 pm, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted, for the second time, a grouping of Israeli forces south of the town of Khiam with a barrage of rockets.
Additionally, the Military Media Unit of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon published an illustration with a quote by Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming at 5:45 pm that "Israel" destroyed 80% of Hezbollah's missile capabilities, only to receive, a swift response from the Resistance with a missile and drone strike that targeted a building in the Ramat Gan area of Tel Aviv, which resulted in casualties among settlers, significant damage, and power outages in parts of the area.
Moreover, the unit released footage of Hezbollah fighters targeting the Israeli Tel Haim and Beit Lid bases on November 18.
Hezbollah's latest operations come in parallel with US special envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Hochstein arrived at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday morning.
His visit comes as part of receiving Lebanon's response to the American proposal for a ceasefire agreement that would end the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, before a scheduled visit to Tel Aviv to continue the discussions.
Hochstein said Tuesday that he held "constructive" discussions with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during his visit to the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
"We've had just now very constructive talks with Speaker Berri, and we have continued to narrow the gaps through the discussions over the last few weeks," he said.
"I came back because we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end," he told reporters after the two-hour meeting.
Hochstein stressed that "this is a moment of decision making. I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it's ultimately the decision of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict."
"It is now within our grasp," he added during his second visit to Beirut in nearly two months of war.
He is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv tonight.
Al-Hayya: The occupation destroyed the southern region along the Egyptian border and is working to expand the Netzarim axis with the aim of protecting its forces from the Resistance’s strikes
Al-Hayya: Contacts are underway to push the ceasefire negotiations file forward, and we are exhibiting flexibility in this regard
Al-Hayya: We have taken huge steps toward consensus, and Egypt, through its sponsorship, continues to form a committee to manage everything in the Gaza Strip
Al-Hayya: Egypt offered us an administrative committee for the Gaza Strip, and we dealt with the issue responsibly
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya to Al-Aqsa TV: The occupation protects thieves and bandits, and theft operations targeting aid are taking place with its blessing
Israeli media platform: Initial report on fierce battles between Israeli army forces and Hezbollah's Radwan forces in South Lebanon
Lebanese Health Ministry: 14 martyred, 87 wounded in yesterday's toll
Lebanese Health Ministry: 3,558 martyred, 15,123 wounded since the beginning of the aggression on Lebanon
Clause 6 of the draft: Submitting a full report on Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA and its ability to verify Iran’s implementation of its obligations
Clause 6 of the draft: The Director General is requested to prepare a comprehensive and updated assessment of the possible presence or use of undeclared nuclear material
Al Mayadeen – November 20, 2024
4 Israeli soldiers killed in incident in north; 84 injured in 24 hours only
The Israeli Ministry of Health has confirmed that 84 Israeli soldiers have been injured since its last update yesterday, including 38 on the northern front over the past 24 hours.
The Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed that 84 new casualties have been reported since its last update on Tuesday, with 38 cases in the northern region over the past 24 hours. The Ministry also noted that the total number of troops hospitalized in Israel since October 10, 2023, has reached 22,482.
Since the last update on November 19, 2024, until 10:00 am, today, a total of 84 new cases have been admitted to Israeli hospitals. Of these, 76 were admitted on Tuesday, an increase from 19 cases reported up until yesterday morning. Additionally, eight cases have been recorded between yesterday morning and 10:00 am today.
The Ministry reported that by 10:13 am on Wednesday, the number of cases admitted to hospitals in the northern region reached 38 in the 24 hours prior.
The injuries were distributed across northern hospitals within the past 24 hours as follows: 13 at Nahariya Hospital, 17 at Ziv Hospital in Safad, three at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, one at Hillel Yaffe Hospital, one at Poriya Hospital, two at Bnei Zion Hospital, and one at the Central Hospital.
This coincided with reports from Israeli media about a serious security incident in the north, which involved the deaths and injuries of Israeli military personnel in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media later reported that the number of Israeli army soldiers killed in a "security incident" in South Lebanon rose to four.
Moreover, the Israeli occupation army acknowledged on Wednesday the killing of an Israeli soldier from the Nahshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade and the injury of the battalion commander, a lieutenant colonel, with serious injuries in battles in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli media revealed that the battalion commander was seriously injured during zero-range confrontations with Palestinian Resistance fighters in the suburbs of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli occupation forces have confirmed the death of a soldier and the injury of others during confrontations in South Lebanon. Under the "permitted for publication" section, the military stated that the deceased soldier was a first sergeant in the Golani Brigade’s reserves, killed in South Lebanon.
However, despite this official admission, evidence suggests the number of casualties is likely much higher. This is supported by videos released by the Resistance forces’ military media in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, which document higher casualties. These reports highlight "Israel’s" ongoing policy of concealing the full extent of its casualties, both dead and wounded.
Golani soldier killed, 3 wounded in Lebanon drone strike
The Israeli occupation forces confirmed on Tuesday that a soldier was killed and three others were wounded in a drone strike from southern Lebanon as part of the ongoing confrontations at the border area.
The announcement, released under the "permitted for publication" notice, identified the killed soldier as a reservist corporal from the Golani Brigade.
According to Israeli Army Radio, the soldier was killed and three others were seriously wounded when Hezbollah targeted Golani Brigade troops with a drone as they were conducting a logistical supply mission in southern Lebanon.
Earlier reports from Israeli media stated that a soldier was killed and four others were injured, with two in critical condition, following a drone attack launched from Lebanon on an Israeli military position.
In related remarks, Yoali Or, a former deputy commander of the Golani Brigade, acknowledged that the losses inflicted by the Lebanese resistance on the brigade were the heaviest since its founding in 1948.
Hezbollah: Any truce must quickly halt hostilities, preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty
The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says any ceasefire with Israel must quickly bring an end to the ongoing Israeli hostilities and preserve the sovereignty of Lebanon.
In an interview with Lebanon’s al-Manar television network on Wednesday, Mahmoud Qamati, a member of the Political Council of Hezbollah, said any US-brokered truce between Hezbollah and the Tel Aviv regime must swiftly end the war on the Arab country and uphold its sovereignty.
His remarks appeared to reference the regime’s position that it would want a free hand to continue attacking Lebanon even with a ceasefire in place.
US special envoy Amos Hochstein has traveled to Beirut for discussions with Lebanese officials regarding a potential ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
His visit to the Lebanese capital will be followed by a trip to Tel Aviv, where he will meet with Israel’s prime minister, president, and minister of military affairs.
Ceasefire talks gained momentum after reports indicated that Lebanese officials and Hezbollah responded favorably to a US-backed proposal. Last week, the US ambassador to Beirut conveyed the proposal to the Lebanese government through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
However, sources suggest that Israel has not yet issued a formal response to the plan.
The US and France have led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Israel’s devastating war on Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Hochstein said in the Lebanese capital that he would head to Israel to work on finalizing truce negotiations, following “additional progress” made during a second meeting with Berri.
The death toll from the Israeli aggression against Lebanon since October 2023 has surpassed 3,500. More than 15,000 others have also been injured.
Most of them have lost their lives in the past month amid the intensified airstrikes and a ground offensive.
Hezbollah has been putting up stiff resistance in the face of the Israeli regime’s aggression against Lebanon.
