Live Updates: Biden vows to back Netanyahu as Hezbollah missiles hit Israel

Friday, August 2, 2024

05:45 GMT — Biden vows to back Netanyahu as Hezbollah missiles hit Israel

US President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the White House saying in a readout that Biden "reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran," including its allies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the call.

Biden also discussed efforts to support Israel's defence and the importance of reducing tensions in the region, officials said, despite no let up in Israeli genocide in Gaza and assassinations in the region that have escalated regional tensions.

According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), Israel is responsible for 17,081 attacks in eight countries since October 7 last year, including the occupied Palestinian territory, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Iran and Iraq.

04:50 GMT — Biden urged to end silence over Israeli land grab, Gaza genocide

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has said the Biden administration must take action after Israel announced a new seizure of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and massacred more civilians in Gaza.

Israeli announced the seizure of almost 2,000 acres of Palestinian land near the town of Salfit in the occupied West Bank.

"The Biden administration’s continued silence on the daily massacres and other war crimes in Gaza, and on the de facto annexation of the West Bank, sends the clear message to the far-right Israeli government that it will never be held accountable for any action it takes, no matter how illegal or immoral," CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said.

04:20 GMT — Al Jazeera says Israel's trying to justify killing of journalists

Al Jazeera has slammed Israel's accusation that journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul was a Hamas operative.

"The network condemns the accusations against its correspondent Ismail Al-Ghoul, without providing any proof, documentation or video," it said in a statement, adding that it reserved the right to take legal action against those responsible.

"The Israeli occupation forces had previously abducted Ismail on March 18 during their raid on al-Shifa Hospital, detaining him for a period of time before his release, which debunks and refutes their false claim of his affiliation with any organisation," it said.

03:30 GMT — Israel threatens Hezbollah's Nasrallah

Israel's Foreign Minister has threatened Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"Hassan Nasrallah, stop the boasting speeches, threats, and lies before you pay a heavy price," said Israel Katz in a post showing Nasrallah side-by-side with recently assassinated Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr.

"We will act with full force to restore security to the residents of the north."

03:00 GMT — Jewish group slams Zionism as Israel's genocide in Gaza crosses 300 days

The Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish organisation aimed at Palestine's liberation, has denounced Israel's carnage in Gaza, now in its 301st day, saying they will keep standing with Palestine.

"Today, in grief and horror, we recognize 300 days of genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government against Palestinians in Gaza," Jewish Voice for Peace said on X.

"As we continue to demand a ceasefire and fight for a future where all are free and safe, our commitment to a free Palestine has only grown stronger. And we decry the intentional choices by the US and Israeli governments that have led to this deplorable marker. We will never forget the continued resilience and steadfastness of Palestinians living through this horror."

For our live updates from Thursday, August 1, 2024, click here.