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25/07/2006
Fierce ground fighting in Lebanon
Israeli forces are continuing to fight Hezbollah fighters in ground battles in Lebanon, according to reports.
The latest news from the region indicates that fierce ground clashes are continuing in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which is believed to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
According to reports, Israeli troops and tanks have sealed off the town, where fighting has been ongoing since Saturday, when Israeli troops seized control of the the nearby village Maroun al-Ras.
It has also been reported that the Israeli army have claimed to have killed 20 Hezbollah fighters.
However, Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets into northern Israel. A 15-year-old girl is reported to have been killed when a rocket hit her home in the village of Maghar.
Haifa is also reported to have been hit by at least a dozen rockets, with reports that two rockets hit near the city's Rambam hospital. At least five people are reported to have been injured.
The Lebanese city of Tyre has also come under heavy Israeli bombardment.
On Tuesday afternoon, there was also reports of a series of large explosions in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the first bomb attacks in the city for nearly two days.
The Israeli offensive into Lebanon was launched on July 12, following the kidnap of two Israeli soldiers and the deaths of eight others in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah fighters.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been continuing her visit to the Middle East. Ms Rice met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Monday, before travelling to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.
Israel has also been continuing a separate offensive in Gaza, which was launched following the kidnap of an Israeli soldier last month by Hamas-linked militants.
Speaking in Israel, Ms Rice called for peace across the region and expressed concern for the suffering of "innocent people" caught up in the fighting.
However, the US Secretary of State stressed that "a sustainable peace" needed to be achieved. She said: "It's time for a new Middle East, it is time to say to those who do not want a different kind of Middle East that we will prevail; they will not."
Mr Abbas called for an Israeli-Palestinian truce. However, Mr Olmert warned that Israeli army operations would continue. The Israeli Prime Minister said that Israel was defending itself against terrorism, but stressed that it was not at war with Lebanon, but with Hezbollah.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah warned that the conflict could lead to the entire Middle East becoming engaged in war.
(KMcA)
The latest news from the region indicates that fierce ground clashes are continuing in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which is believed to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
According to reports, Israeli troops and tanks have sealed off the town, where fighting has been ongoing since Saturday, when Israeli troops seized control of the the nearby village Maroun al-Ras.
It has also been reported that the Israeli army have claimed to have killed 20 Hezbollah fighters.
However, Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets into northern Israel. A 15-year-old girl is reported to have been killed when a rocket hit her home in the village of Maghar.
Haifa is also reported to have been hit by at least a dozen rockets, with reports that two rockets hit near the city's Rambam hospital. At least five people are reported to have been injured.
The Lebanese city of Tyre has also come under heavy Israeli bombardment.
On Tuesday afternoon, there was also reports of a series of large explosions in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the first bomb attacks in the city for nearly two days.
The Israeli offensive into Lebanon was launched on July 12, following the kidnap of two Israeli soldiers and the deaths of eight others in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah fighters.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been continuing her visit to the Middle East. Ms Rice met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Monday, before travelling to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.
Israel has also been continuing a separate offensive in Gaza, which was launched following the kidnap of an Israeli soldier last month by Hamas-linked militants.
Speaking in Israel, Ms Rice called for peace across the region and expressed concern for the suffering of "innocent people" caught up in the fighting.
However, the US Secretary of State stressed that "a sustainable peace" needed to be achieved. She said: "It's time for a new Middle East, it is time to say to those who do not want a different kind of Middle East that we will prevail; they will not."
Mr Abbas called for an Israeli-Palestinian truce. However, Mr Olmert warned that Israeli army operations would continue. The Israeli Prime Minister said that Israel was defending itself against terrorism, but stressed that it was not at war with Lebanon, but with Hezbollah.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah warned that the conflict could lead to the entire Middle East becoming engaged in war.
(KMcA)
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07 August 2006
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
03 August 2006
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
09 August 2006
Israel cabinet approves further Lebanon offensive
The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan for its army to push its offensive deeper into Lebanon in order to attempt to stop Hezbollah's rocket attacks on the country. Israeli troops will now attempt to advance to the Litani River, which is around 18 miles inside Lebanon.
Israel cabinet approves further Lebanon offensive
The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan for its army to push its offensive deeper into Lebanon in order to attempt to stop Hezbollah's rocket attacks on the country. Israeli troops will now attempt to advance to the Litani River, which is around 18 miles inside Lebanon.
14 August 2006
Clashes continue following Middle East ceasefire
A ceasefire has come into force in Lebanon, following 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. However, there have been reports of skirmishes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, in which six militants are understood to have been killed.
Clashes continue following Middle East ceasefire
A ceasefire has come into force in Lebanon, following 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. However, there have been reports of skirmishes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, in which six militants are understood to have been killed.
28 July 2006
Blair heads to US for Middle East talks
Prime Minister Tony Blair is heading to Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush on the Middle East. Mr Blair is expected to push for a new UN resolution and the dispatch of an international force to Lebanon.
Blair heads to US for Middle East talks
Prime Minister Tony Blair is heading to Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush on the Middle East. Mr Blair is expected to push for a new UN resolution and the dispatch of an international force to Lebanon.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
