Israel Suspends Construction of Underground Wall

A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
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Israel Suspends Construction of Underground Wall

A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Israel has decided to maintain a state of emergency and suspend construction on the underground wall border with Gaza Strip, as the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine announced that five of its members were martyred and their bodies were still buried inside the tunnel. Israel is also promoting the "inevitability of a military escalation in the region," fearing retaliation after the tunnel blastt.

Meanwhile, the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK called for launching an international investigation in the weapons used by the Israeli Army to shell the tunnel in Gaza Strip on Oct. 30, killing seven Palestinians, injuring others and leaving others missing.

In its statement, the organization added that medics who examined the bodies of the victims reported that poisonous substances were used in the bombing. This is evidenced by what they saw of the victims – they were bleeding from their ears, mouth and nose. Others who were injured were severely ill as a result of inhaling toxic substances.

AOHR UK noted that the Israeli occupation is known for using internationally prohibited weapons, such as explosive bullets, white phosphorus and cluster bombs. These weapons were extensively used by Israeli forces in its previous wars on the Gaza Strip, causing heavy casualties.

It saw that the Israeli occupation is exaggerating what it calls “security threat from the Gaza Strip and the tunnels to justify its deadly attacks, using all kinds of weapons on targets it deems as penetrating Israeli sovereignty.”

The Adalah Legal Center and the Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights filed a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court to oblige the Israeli Army to permit prompt entrance of the Palestinian rescue teams to search for missing victims.



Security Council Urges Unity in Lebanon, Welcomes Aoun’s Election

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (C) and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) meeting with the new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (C) and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) meeting with the new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Security Council Urges Unity in Lebanon, Welcomes Aoun’s Election

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (C) and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) meeting with the new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (C) and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) meeting with the new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The UN Security Council has encouraged all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate “renewed unity,” saying PM designate Nawaf Salam should “swiftly” form a new government.

In a presidential statement unanimously adopted on Lebanon, the Council welcomed on Thursday the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, but it “expressed concern about the reported violations” in reference to ongoing Israeli attacks.

The Council “reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence in accordance with Council resolution 1701 (2006).”

The statement came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon for meetings with top officials.

The Council welcomed the recent election of President Joseph Aoun and the designation of Salam as Prime Minister, describing the recent developments as “a long-awaited and critical step” to overcome Lebanon’s political and institutional crisis.

“It encouraged all parties in that country to demonstrate renewed unity and the new Lebanese authorities to swiftly form a government.”

Last week, the Security Council members held closed consultations on Lebanon to receive an update on the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanon ahead of the expiry of the 60-day deadline outlined in the agreement for the Israeli army to withdraw south of the Blue Line and, in parallel, for the Lebanese military to deploy to positions south of the Litani river.