Hezbollah Pressures Israel with Drone Assaults, ‘Burkan’ Missiles

Snapshot from a video of a site targeted by Israel, reportedly belonging to Hezbollah (Reuters)
Snapshot from a video of a site targeted by Israel, reportedly belonging to Hezbollah (Reuters)
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Hezbollah Pressures Israel with Drone Assaults, ‘Burkan’ Missiles

Snapshot from a video of a site targeted by Israel, reportedly belonging to Hezbollah (Reuters)
Snapshot from a video of a site targeted by Israel, reportedly belonging to Hezbollah (Reuters)

Hezbollah has targeted Israeli military gatherings west of Kiryat Shmona using attack drones, artillery, and military positions with ‘Burkan’ missiles.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes intensified in southern Lebanon, reaching, for the first time, a church in the district of Bint Jbeil.
The Israeli bombardment did not subside throughout the day.
“The Israeli army hit the Saint George Church in the town of Yaroun, southern Lebanon, near the border,” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
“Several areas in southern Lebanon came under Israeli fire from tanks, fighter jets and helicopters, including an attack on the home of Lebanese lawmaker, Qabalan Qabalan, who is a close ally to Hezbollah, the group that has been trading cross-border attacks with Israel since Hamas’s 7 October attacks on southern Israel,” the NNA added.
Video footage depicted significant damage to the house, indicating it was hit by two shells.
Furthermore, other news agencies highlighted Israeli direct shelling on the town of Markaba and the outskirts of towns around Hula and Horsa, situated between Deir Mimas and Kfar Kila.
In a statement, Hezbollah announced that the number of casualties in the Israeli settlements adjacent to the borders has reached 1,523 since the escalation began on Oct. 8.
The party issued separate statements indicating that its fighters targeted concentration centers and the deployment of Israeli soldiers west of Kiryat Shmona.
They did so through three drone attacks on one occasion and artillery shelling on another, resulting in direct casualties.
Additionally, they targeted an infantry gathering near the Dahiyra site and another assembly point in the Triangle of Tayhat with rockets and artillery, causing injuries.
Furthermore, Hezbollah fighters targeted an Israeli infantry force on the Karnitina hill near the Hadeb Yaron site.
Several military sites became the focus of Hezbollah fighters, some of which were reportedly struck by Burkan missiles.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.