Israeli Military Destroys Hezbollah Rocket Launchers in Southern Lebanon

Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
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Israeli Military Destroys Hezbollah Rocket Launchers in Southern Lebanon

Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had attacked and destroyed medium-range rocket launchers at a Hezbollah military site in southern Lebanon.

The military said in a statement that before the strike it had sent a request to Lebanon's army to destroy the launchers and that the launchers were only attacked after the Lebanese side failed to act.

The Lebanese army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Trump’s Middle East Envoy Says Progress Being Made on Israeli Hostages in Gaza

Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump’s Middle East Envoy Says Progress Being Made on Israeli Hostages in Gaza

Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Tuesday he hopes to have good things to report about Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza by the time Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

Witkoff, at a press conference held by Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, said: "I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the President."

Republican Trump said of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the Oct. 7 2024 attack on Israel: "If the hostages are not back by the time I'm in office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone."