Two hurt, 15 fires raging as rocket and drone barrage launched at northern Israel
The United States is very concerned about an escalation on the Israel-Lebanon border leading to a full-out war, a senior US official says, adding that specific security arrangements are needed for the area and a ceasefire in Gaza is not enough. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The military says several rockets were intercepted by air defenses, while others impacted, causing fires and lightly injuring two people.
At the same time, five “suspicious aerial targets” — thought to be drones — were identified from around 2 p.m., setting off sirens across northern Israel.
The IDF says three of the targets were intercepted by air defenses, without elaborating on the other two.
The Health Ministry urges the public to take precautions amid extreme heat conditions over the next several days. The heat wave, including exceptionally dry and windy conditions, will affect most areas of Israel.
Children, the elderly, pregnant individuals and those with preexisting health conditions should be extra careful about not exposing themselves to the heat and sun, staying in air-conditioned spaces if possible. They should drink water and not exert themselves physically.
The ministry reminds parents and other adults to be extremely mindful of not leaving babies and children in cars, which heat up quickly, often leading to serious injury or death within a short period.
Heatstroke and exhaustion can result from traveling, working, or hiking outside during extreme heat conditions. The public is asked to consider putting off such activities until temperatures drop.
More than half of Gaza’s agricultural land has been degraded by conflict, satellite images analyzed by the United Nations shows.
The data reveals a rise in the destruction of orchards, field crops and vegetables in the Palestinian enclave.
Using satellite imagery taken between May 2017 and 2024, United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that 57% of Gaza’s permanent crop fields and arable lands essential for food security had shown a significant decline in density and health.
“In May 2024, crop health and density across the Gaza Strip showed a marked decline compared to the average of the previous seven seasons,” UNOSAT says. “This deterioration is attributed to conflict-related activities, including razing, heavy vehicle movement, bombing, and shelling.”
As well as damage to crop fields and orchards, greenhouses across the Gaza Strip had also sustained significant damage, UNOSAT says.
The Gaza Strip has an estimated 151 square kilometers of agricultural land, which makes up about 41% of the coastal enclave’s territory, according to data from UNOSAT.
The Fire and Rescue Service reports some 15 fires sparked as a result of the rocket barrages from Lebanon on the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, as well as falling shrapnel following interceptions.
Russian-Israeli journalist blacklisted by Moscow banned from entering Serbia
By AFP
A Russian-Israeli journalist labeled a “foreign agent” by Moscow was banned from entering Serbia over alleged security risks, he says in a video.
Roman Perl says he was on a private visit when he landed at Belgrade airport Saturday.
He was kept waiting for hours before finally being handed an order banning him from entering the country, he says in the video posted by the Voice of America broadcaster.
“They gave me a paper stating that there are security risks if I were to be on Serbian territory,” Perl said, speaking in English but with his remarks voiced over in Serbian.
The journalist said that he had only come to visit a friend.
Moscow labeled Perl a “foreign agent” in October 2021, based on a law condemned by the international community.
The controversial law allows the authorities to crack down on organizations, media outlets and others deemed “foreign agents.” Adopted in 2012, it has since been hardened several times. vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx vcx
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