The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they happen.
‘Queer as in free Palestine’: 10 arrested for blocking NYC Pride March
Pro-Palestinian protesters temporarily block the New York City Pride March in a demonstration against Israel, chanting: “Free, free, free Palestine!”
A number of the demonstrators wear t-shirts with the text, “queer as in free Palestine,” and hold banners declaring “no queer liberation without Palestinian liberation” and “Palestine will be free.”
The New York Police Department eventually takes some of them away, later reporting that 10 people were arrested.
NYC: "No Pride in Genocide", 10 people ARRESTED after a group of protesters BLOCK the annual Pride Parade in NYC. A parade float car was SPLASHED with red paint.
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 and @olgafe_images Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/6WOcZqVyN9
— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) June 30, 2024
The parade itself included both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian marchers.
The NYC Pride Parade.
Pro Palestinian LGBTQ marchers take to the streets.Filmed by @LeeroyPress
For licensing email viralnewsnyc@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/kzKnIfYFWs— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) June 30, 2024
IDF says rocket sirens were activated in Metula due to false alarm
The Israel Defense Forces says the activation of rocket sirens in Metula was due to a “false identification.”
US military destroys 3 Houthi naval drones in Red Sea that posed ‘imminent threat’
The US military says it has destroyed three Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the past 24 hours in the Red Sea as part of a “self-defense engagement.”
“It was determined the USVs presented an imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” US Central Command says in a post on X.
Incoming rocket sirens sound in Lebanon border town of Metula
Incoming rocket sirens sound in the largely abandoned Lebanon border town of Metula shortly before 3 a.m., with the IDF’s Home Front Command instructing anyone there to immediately take cover.
US military said to raise terror alert level at several bases in Europe
WASHINGTON — The US military has raised the alert level of several bases in Europe to its second-highest level, multiple American media outlets report.
The American bases, located across Europe, were raised to the “Charlie” alert level, ABC News and CNN report, both citing unnamed officials.
That level is ordered when “an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely,” the US Army says on its website.
The highest level “Delta” is applied when a terrorist attack has occurred or one is “imminent.”
The US European Command (USEUCOM) does not confirm the status change when contacted by AFP, but says: “we remain vigilant.”
The Pentagon meanwhile says that “due to a combination of factors potentially impacting the safety and security of US service members and their families stationed in the European theater, US European Command is redoubling its efforts to stress vigilance during the summer months.”
The US State Department currently advises American citizens in Germany, where the USEUCOM is headquartered, to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
While no specific threat has been mentioned, European nations have been on heightened alert since gunmen in March killed nearly 150 people outside Moscow, an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.
France has also increased its state of alert ahead of the Paris Olympics, while Germany is currently hosting an international soccer tournament.
Iraqi militia factions vow to escalate attacks on Israel if war erupts with Hezbollah — Lebanese report
The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee, a group of militia factions, vows to increase attacks on Israel if tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon escalate into all-out war, Al Mayadeen reports.
The pro-Hezbollah Lebanese outlet also says that the committee threatened Washington, saying that in the case of war between Israel and Hezbollah, US interests in Iraq and across the Middle East would become a legitimate target.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have claimed a number of drone attacks on the southern city of Eilat in the last several months.
Since October 8, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza during the war there.
Israel has warned it can no longer tolerate Hezbollah’s presence along its border following the October 7 atrocities, and has warned that should a diplomatic solution not be reached, it will turn to military action to push Hezbollah northward.