The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
Japanese radio maker probing walkie-talkies with its logo that exploded in Lebanon
TOKYO — Japanese radio equipment maker Icom says that it’s investigating the facts regarding news reports that two-way radio devices bearing its logo have exploded in Lebanon.
Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday across Lebanon’s south, after similar explosions of the group’s pagers the day before. Images of the exploded walkie-talkies showed labels with “ICOM” and “made in Japan.”
Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed Icom says in a statement that it will release updated information on the matter as it becomes available on its website.
US says Austin spoke with Gallant, stressed support for Israel amid Iranian and Hezbollah threats
The Pentagon says Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant “to review regional security developments and reiterate unwavering US support for Israel in the face of threats from Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Iran’s other regional partners.”
“The secretary emphasized the US commitment to deterring regional adversaries and efforts to deescalate tensions across the region,” adds the readout on the call, which was held after the mass explosion of Hezbollah mobile devices in Lebanon for the second time in as many days.
The statement says Austin also “reaffirmed the priority of achieving a Gaza ceasefire deal that will bring home hostages held by Hamas, and an enduring diplomatic resolution to the conflict on the Israel-Lebanon border that will allow civilians on both sides to return to their homes.”
Netanyahu hits out at UK’s Starmer in interview with British newspaper
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hits out at his British counterpart Keir Starmer, telling the Daily Mail newspaper that his “misguided” government was “sending a horrible message” to Hamas with the recent decision to suspend dozens of arm export licenses to Israel.
“After the October 7 Hamas massacre, the previous British government was clear in its support,” says Netanyahu, referring to then-premier Rishi Sunak’s Tory government. “Unfortunately, the current government is sending mixed messages.”
Netanyahu adds: “They say that Israel has the right to defend itself, but they undermine our ability to exercise that right both by reversing Britain’s position on the absurd allegations made by the ICC prosecutor against Israel and by blocking weapons sales to Israel as we fight against the genocidal terrorist organization that carried out the October 7 massacre.”
Thousands of Israelis receive false text messages telling them to enter bomb shelters
Israeli authorities are looking into whether “emergency warning” text messages instructing thousands of Israelis to immediately enter their bomb shelters were sent by Iranian-linked actors, according to the Kan public broadcaster.
The IDF meanwhile clarifies that it didn’t send out the messages, which misspell the Hebrew term for a safe room and include a suspicious hyperlink.
US says Iran tried to influence election by sending material from Trump campaign to Biden’s camp
Iranian cyber actors sent messages during the summer to people involved in US President Joe Biden’s then re-election campaign containing non-public material from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign as part of efforts to influence the November 5 election, US agencies says.
“Furthermore, Iranian malicious cyber actors have continued their efforts since June to send stolen, non-public material associated with former President Trump’s campaign to US media organizations,” the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Office of the Director of National Intelligence say in a joint statement.
Iran denies interfering in US elections. Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York doesn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.