The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they happen.
Harris: We need ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris says Israel needs to halt its military campaigns against the Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups in Gaza and Lebanon respectively.
“We have got to reach a ceasefire, both as it relates to what’s happening in Lebanon, and, of course, Gaza,” she tells reporters as she departs Las Vegas.
“We are working around the clock in that regard, but we need these wars to end and we’ve got to definitely deescalate what is happening in the region, and we’re working on that”
Some UNIFIL peacekeepers moving, Security Council told as US pushes to bolster Lebanese army
The head of UN peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix tells a Security Council meeting that 300 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were temporarily relocated to larger bases earlier this week, “with the movement of another 200 planned.”
UNIFIL’s footprint in the most affected positions has been slashed by 25 percent, he says, while noting that peacekeeper numbers had earlier been beefed up due to tensions.
“The safety and security of peacekeepers is now increasingly in jeopardy,” Lacroix tells the Security Council.
Most members at the meeting express condemnation or concern over Israeli tank fire that hit a UNIFIL watchtower Thursday, but Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood says the international community should focus its efforts on strengthening Lebanese state institutions.
“The solution to this crisis is not a weaker Lebanon. It’s a strong and truly sovereign Lebanon, protected by a legitimate security force, embodied in the Lebanese Armed Forces,” he says.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the council that resolution 1701, which requires Hezbollah to moved armed units away from southern Lebanon, must be enforced, along with resolution 1559, which was adopted in 2004, and “calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.”
“We are fulfilling our obligations to ensure this, and the council must support us in our efforts,” he says.
Lacroix says it is up to Lebanon and Israel to ensure resolution 1701 is upheld.
“UNIFIL is mandated to support the implementation of resolution 1701, but we must insist that it is for the parties themselves to implement the provisions of this resolution,” he told the Security Council.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea tenenti earlier insisted that Blue Helmets would remain despite the danger of being caught in the crossfire.
“We are there because the (U.N.) Security Council has asked us to be there. So we are staying until the situation becomes impossible for us to operate,” Tenenti added.
French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere tells the council that one of the goals of a conference that France plans to hold on Lebanon on October 24 is to guarantee Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“We want heightened support for Lebanese institutions, in particular, the Lebanese Armed Forces,” he says, later telling reporters: “We need the Lebanese Armed Forces to be deployed to the south and do the job … What we need to do is to make sure that the Lebanese Armed Forces are properly equipped and trained.”
Jakarta blasts Israel over tank fire that injured Indonesian peacekeepers
Indonesia’s UN ambassador is joining international condemnation of Israel over an incident in which two peacekeepers from the country were apparently injured by Israeli tank fire.
The incident “clearly demonstrates how Israel positioned itself above international law, above impunity and above our shared values of peace,” Hari Prabowo says.
A UNIFIL spokeswoman says the two, who did not suffer major injuries, were from Indonesia, a major contributor of troops to UNIFIL.
“This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall,” the mission said earlier, using an acronym for the Israeli military.
Israel says its military “opened fire in the area” of the UNIFIL base after telling UN forces to seek shelter.
Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto said earlier that the attack and other incidents UNIFIL blames on Israel “could constitute war crimes.” Italy and other countries have asked for an explanation because “it was not a mistake,” Crosetto said.
Wry Biden jokes Netanyahu coming to chip in on Milton recovery
While giving a status update on the administration’s efforts to respond to Hurricane Milton, US President Joe Biden is asked by a reporter what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared with him on their phone call yesterday about how Israel plans to react to Iran’s missile attack.
“He’s coming over to help with the storm,” Biden jokingly responds.
Israel and US seen narrowing gaps on Iran
The US and Israel are overall on the same page regarding strategic challenges in the Middle East following Wednesday’s phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, an Israeli source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel.
The phone call, to discuss Israel’s retaliation plans against Iran, was the culmination of discussions between US and Israeli officials that have been ongoing since Tehran’s October 1 ballistic missile attack, the source says.
Those conversations will continue in the days ahead, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is slated to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon next week, the source adds.
Netanyahu earlier this week blocked a planned trip by Gallant to Washington at the last minute, demanding that he be able to speak to Biden first about what Israel is looking to do against Iran.
A US official quoted by Axios says the allies “are moving in the right direction” following the call, though an Israeli official cited by the outlet says the US still thinks Israel’s plans are too aggressive.
France downs Israel 4-1 in Nations League soccer
Israel’s national soccer team has fallen to France 4-1 in Nations League play at a “home” game played in Budapest due to security concerns.
The Israeli squad appeared to hold their own against Les Blues for much of the match, keeping France within one goal until the 87th minute before a late burst put the match out of reach.
The loss leaves winless Israel in the cellar of Group A2, while France moved closer to A2 Group leader Italy was held to a 2-2 draw with Belgium.