On Tuesday, A series of explosions caused by handheld pagers in Lebanon resulted in thousands of injuries and deaths, including a 10-year-old girl named Fatima Jaafar Abdullah in Sareen. The Lebanese government has blamed the attack on a cyber attack orchestrated by Israel, targeting communication devices used by Hezbollah members and civilians across the country. The explosions injured over 2,800 people and left at least eight dead. Hospitals across Lebanon, particularly in Beirut and the south, have been overwhelmed with the wounded.

Hezbollah officials blame Israel for the attack, describing it as a security operation targeting pagers used by their members. The pagers, which are difficult to trace due to their lack of internet connectivity and SIM cards, were reportedly tampered with remotely, causing lithium batteries to overheat and explode. A former Israeli Shin Bet official called the breach unprecedented, impacting Hezbollah operatives in both Lebanon and Syria.

Former Lebanese Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf supported the theory that Israel obtained secret codes to detonate the devices, leading to the devastating explosions. He argued that this cyber attack had the impact of weapons of mass destruction.

Lebanese officials condemned the incident, accusing Israel of conducting the cyber attack, which has further escalated tensions amid ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Concerns about the scope of the attack continue to grow, highlighting the destructive potential of modern cyber warfare.

Sources: Agenzia Nova, Palestine Chronicle

Early Sunday morning, Yemen’s Armed forces fired a missile into central Israel, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Yemen’s government, promising they will pay a “heavy price” after the missile attack. The launched missile from Yemen travelled over 2,000 kilometers before being intercepted and breaking apart mid-air, with fragments falling near the city of Modi’in. Sirens rang out across Israel, including in Tel Aviv, with residents rushing to find shelter. Nine Zionists were hurt while trying to find refuge, but no casualties were reported.

“We are in a multi-arena campaign against Iran’s evil axis that strives to destroy us,” Netanyahu said ahead of a cabinet meeting. Referring to past Israeli strikes in Yemen, he added, “They should have known by now that we exact a heavy price for any attempt to harm us.”

Yemen’s army claimed responsibility for the missile strike, which military spokesman Yahya Sarea described as a “new hypersonic ballistic missile.” The missile is said to have traveled 1,270 miles in just over 11 minutes, bypassing multiple layers of Israel’s air refence. A senior Yemeni government official, Nasruddin Amer, declared the attack as the “beginning” of more strikes against Israel.

The attack comes amid increasing Israel’s attacks and continued massacres in Gaza which has resulted in deaths of more than 41,000 including a great number pf women and children. In addition to Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon has been launching daily projectile barrages into northern Israel, prompting Netanyahu to call for a “change in the balance of power” along the northern border.

As the war between Israel and Hamas approaches its one-year mark, fears of a broader conflict spreading throughout the region continue to escalate

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi.

They discussed enhancing UAE-EU cooperation across sectors and preparing for the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Brussels on October 16. The meeting also addressed regional issues. Both sides highlighted the deep ties and shared interests between the UAE and the EU.

The two leaders talked about expanding cooperation between the UAE and the European Union in different sectors. Their discussions focused on promoting shared objectives like comprehensive and sustainable development, which benefits both regions. They also addressed preparations for the upcoming EU-GCC summit in Brussels, scheduled for October 16, which will aim to boost collaboration between the European Union and Gulf nations. The meeting covered various regional developments, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Sheikh Abdullah expressed the UAE’s ongoing support for efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza. He also stressed the importance of the two-state solution for lasting peace and security in the Middle East. The UAE reiterated its dedication to working with the EU and other international actors to find peaceful solutions to regional crises and help achieve sustainable peace and prosperity. This meeting highlights the UAE’s active role in regional diplomacy and its collaboration with the European Union on shared goals such as peace, development, and humanitarian relief.