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Summary

• Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the UN chief Antonio Guterres to remove peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon “immediately”
• Yesterday, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said a fifth peacekeeper was injured in southern Lebanon this week
• In Lebanon, the health ministry says 15 people were killed in three Israeli attacks yesterday on Deir Bella, Al Maaysra and Barja
• The IDF says Hezbollah launched around 320 projectiles from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday
• In Gaza, at least 29 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes in the central and northern Gaza Strip on Saturday and overnight, according to the Reuters news agency, citing medics
• A week ago, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began another offensive in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, moving in with tanks, saying Hamas attempted to “restore” its infrastructure there
• Palestinian health officials estimate that 150 people have been killed there over the past week – with residents saying the Israeli military has encircled Jabalia and ordered them to leave via one corridor

Live Reporting

Edited by Sophie Abdulla

1. Pope Francis calls for ‘respect’ of UN peacekeepers in Lebanonpublished at 12:28 British Summer Time12:28 BSTImage source,ReutersPope Francis has called for “respect” of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers after five members of the multinational force were injured in southern Lebanon.”I am close to all the people involved, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, where I ask that the UN peacekeepers be respected,” the Pope said at the Vatican, according to AFP.”I once again call for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts that the paths of diplomacy and dialogue be pursued to achieve peace,” he adds.Share
2. Fighting in southern Lebanon intensifiespublished at 12:16 British Summer Time12:16 BSTSebastian Usher
   Middle East editorHezbollah says that its fighters have been involved in combat at point-blank range with Israeli troops in a village near the border with Israel.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says that in addition to two severely wounded soldiers, many others have been evacuated to hospital with light and moderate injuries.The fighting in south Lebanon is intensifying, as Lebanese officials say that Israel has widened its target area in the country.The IDF says that it’s carried out airstrikes on around two-hundred Hezbollah targets in the past twenty-four hours.In one incident, the Lebanese Red Cross says its volunteers suffered injuries as an Israeli strike hit a building they were searching for casualties in south Lebanon.The IDF has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances to transport weapons and fighters, without providing any evidence.Image source,Getty ImagesImage caption,Smoke rising from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted the Kfar Tibnit in Lebanon on SundayShare
3. Netanyahu calls for ‘immediate’ removal of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanonpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time11:52 BSTBreakingIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the UN chief Antonio Guterres to remove peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon “immediately”.”Mr Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately,” Netanyahu said in a video statement issued by his office.Earlier this month, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared Guterres persona non grata following Iran’s attack on Israel.Share
4. 40 nations ‘strongly condemn’ attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanonpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time11:25 BSTThe UK is among 40 nations to “strongly condemn” attacks on United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in Lebanon.On Thursday, two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured falling from an observation tower after Israeli tanks fired towards it.On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that its troops were responsible for an incident in which two Sri Lankan soldiers, in Naqoura, were injured and that it would be investigated.And the United Nations, on Saturday, said another peacekeeper was injured by gunfire in the south on Friday, though added it did not know the origin of the fire.In a joint statement posted on X, external by the Polish UN mission, the countries say attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) “must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated”.”We consider Unifil’s role as particularly crucial in light of the escalating situation in the region,” the statement adds.Image source,Reuters

source https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c80r2y47rz4t