Fierce ground battles in south Lebanon as Israel forces advance
- Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops engage in fierce clashes at the key southern Lebanon town of Khiam and in the coastal Bayada area as Israel’s army attempts to gain ground.
- Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed at least 20 people are killed and dozens injured in an Israeli attack on the Basta neighbourhood of central Beirut.
Israel issues travel warning for UAE after soldier-rabbi goes missing
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed – on behalf of the spy agency Mossad and National Security Council – that Israeli-Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan has been missing in the United Arab Emirates since Thursday.
He was identified as a Chabad rabbi to the Gulf Arab nation, but there was no mention of his military background.
“Since his disappearance, and given information indicating that this is a terrorist incident, an active investigation has been going on in the country. Israeli security and intelligence orgs, concerned for Kogan’s safety and wellbeing, have been working tirelessly on this case,” the office said.
Israel also issued a level three or moderate travel warning for the UAE, with a recommendation to avoid any non-essential travel, and for those in the country to take extra precautions.
Death toll in central Beirut from Israeli attack rises to 20
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says at least 20 people have been confirmed killed and 66 injured in the Israeli attack on the Basta Al Fawqa neighbourhood.
“The rubble removal work is still ongoing,” it added.
The predawn dawn attack was unleashed without any advance warning from the Israeli military, Lebanon’s National News Agency reports.
