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US Postpones Opening its Consulate in Jerusalem

A man walks next to a road sign directing to the US embassy in Jerusalem, February 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A man walks next to a road sign directing to the US embassy in Jerusalem, February 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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US Postpones Opening its Consulate in Jerusalem

A man walks next to a road sign directing to the US embassy in Jerusalem, February 18, 2019. (Reuters)
A man walks next to a road sign directing to the US embassy in Jerusalem, February 18, 2019. (Reuters)

The Israeli government asked the US administration to hold off plans to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem, claiming that such a measure would create “political difficulties” for the new government, according to officials in Tel Aviv.

Walla website quoted the officials as saying that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently asked Washington to delay reopening the consulate, saying that opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is using the issue to portray the government as weak and unable to stand up to the Biden administration.

The US administration had announced its intention to reopen the consulate in Jerusalem, as a diplomatic representative specialized in dealing with the Palestinians, in reference to the change of policy of former President Donald Trump.

Trump closed the consulate in 2019, as part of punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority for rejecting the deal of the century.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced during his visit to Israel last May, prior to the formation of the new Israeli government, that the US administration would reopen the consulate in Jerusalem.

According to Walla, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Washington to wait until at least after the summer to give the new government more time to stabilize.

Israeli officials believe the Biden administration understands the complexity of the situation and agreed to the request and will refrain from pressing it for the time being.

At the time, Netanyahu had requested during his meeting with Blinken, the reopening of the US Consulate in Ramallah or Abu Dis.

Blinken rejected Netanyahu's request and made clear that the administration wants the consulate to be in Jerusalem.

The former PM told Blinken that he intended to make political use of the case, noting that “if you insist on opening the consulate in Jerusalem, you are going to help me score political win.”

During a meeting of the Likud party parliamentary bloc early last month, Netanyahu said that "the dangerous left-wing government will not withstand the decision to re-establish an American consulate for the Palestinians in the heart of Jerusalem."

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Arab World

US Embassy Urges Americans to Leave Iraq

A photograph shows the damage following a reported drone strike on the US embassy in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
A photograph shows the damage following a reported drone strike on the US embassy in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
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US Embassy Urges Americans to Leave Iraq

A photograph shows the damage following a reported drone strike on the US embassy in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)
A photograph shows the damage following a reported drone strike on the US embassy in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Murtadha RIDHA / AFP)

US citizens should leave Iraq immediately, the US embassy in Baghdad said in an updated security alert ⁠on Saturday, following ⁠an overnight missile attack on the ⁠embassy's building.

"US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the ⁠significant ⁠threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups," the embassy said.

Arab World

Israel Threatens to Strike Ambulances in Lebanon in Hezbollah Fighting

Rescue workers carry a body from an apartment destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Rescue workers carry a body from an apartment destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
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Israel Threatens to Strike Ambulances in Lebanon in Hezbollah Fighting

Rescue workers carry a body from an apartment destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
Rescue workers carry a body from an apartment destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)

The Israeli military warned on Saturday that it may strike ambulances and medical facilities which it said were being used unlawfully by Hezbollah in Lebanon, though it did not provide evidence for the claim.

"As part of its terrorist activities, Hezbollah is using ambulances extensively for military purposes," the Israeli military's Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee said on X, adding that such use must immediately stop, AFP reported.

"If this practice does not stop, Israel will act in accordance with international law against any military activity carried out by the terrorist group Hezbollah using these facilities and ambulances," Adraee said.

A Hezbollah official said that the group was not using ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request to provide evidence that Hezbollah was using medical facilities or ambulances unlawfully.

At least 26 medics and first responders have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2 according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military says it takes precautions to try to reduce any harm to civilians.

On Friday, Israeli aircraft dropped flyers over Beirut threatening to inflict damage on Lebanon similar to the devastation wrought on Gaza during Israel's two-year war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble and its population largely displaced.

On Friday Israel bombed a bridge in southern Lebanon which it said was being used by Hezbollah and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to strike national infrastructure exploited by Hezbollah.

Israel has deployed more troops to its northern border with Lebanon, and has signalled it is planning for a long campaign.

An Israeli official told Reuters on Friday that the campaign against Hezbollah would likely be intensified and continue even after strikes on Iran die down.

The official said that attacks on civilian infrastructure were being debated by the decision-makers.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday that his group was prepared for a long confrontation.

Arab World

UN Chief Says 'Diplomatic Avenues' Available to Stop War in Lebanon

Israeli soldiers work on the belts for their tanks at a staging area in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) /
Israeli soldiers work on the belts for their tanks at a staging area in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) /
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UN Chief Says 'Diplomatic Avenues' Available to Stop War in Lebanon

Israeli soldiers work on the belts for their tanks at a staging area in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) /
Israeli soldiers work on the belts for their tanks at a staging area in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) /

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday on a visit to Beirut that diplomatic channels remained open to end the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and urged the international community to support Lebanon.

"There is no military solution, only diplomacy, dialogue and full implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. The diplomatic avenues are available, including through my special coordinator for Lebanon... and through key member states," he said.

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war last week when militant group Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

"We are doing everything we can now to bring about an immediate de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities," Guterres told reporters.

"My special coordinator is engaging with all actors around the clock to bring the parties to the table and UNIFIL peacekeepers... remain in position," he said, referring to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

He said attacks against peacekeepers and positions were "completely unacceptable and they must stop. They are in breach of international law and may constitute war crimes".

Three peacekeepers serving with the Ghanaian contingent were wounded earlier this month in south Lebanon.

Guterres arrived in Beirut on Friday for what he called a "solidarity" visit, and launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal to support Lebanon as it responds to the displacement crisis.

On Saturday, he urged support for the Lebanese government, which last year committed to disarming Hezbollah.

"My message to the international community is simply step up your engagement, empower the Lebanese state and support the Lebanese Armed Forces to secure the capabilities and resources they need. Respond generously to the humanitarian appeal," he said.

The Israeli army has issued sweeping evacuation orders to residents of south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, with the Norwegian Refugee Council saying they cover 14 percent of Lebanese territory.

"Evacuation orders in a situation where so many vulnerable populations exist in the areas that are asked to be evacuated does not create enough security for civilians, and whatever does not create enough security for civilians inevitably becomes in violation of international humanitarian law," Guterres said.