Live Updates: Iran's Khamenei to lead funeral prayers for Hamas' Haniyeh

Thursday, August 1, 2024

04:36 GMT — Iran's supreme leader to lead funeral prayers for Haniyeh

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will lead funeral prayers for leader of Hamas' political bureau and lead peace-negotiator Ismail Haniyeh, Iran's state-run Press TV said.

The funeral will be held in the Iranian capital Tehran, Press TV added.

Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran early on Wednesday morning by Israel, an attack that drew threats of revenge on Israel and fuelled further concern that Tel Aviv's genocidal war in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.

04:22 GMT — Australia urges citizens to leave Lebanon

Australia has asked its citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately, saying there was a real risk that the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate seriously.

The request follows similar advisories by allies United States and Britain this week.

"Now is the time to leave, the security situation could deteriorate quickly with little or no notice," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a video posted on social media platform X.

03:52 GMT — UNSC members condemn Israel's assassination of Hamas leader

UN Security Council members have condemned the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran, while permanent representatives the US and UK blamed Iran for destabilising the region.

The Council convened for an emergency session on the killing of Haniyeh at the request of Iran, which was supported by Russia, Algeria and China.

Speaking at the session, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said China strongly condemns the assassination of Haniyeh.

03:30 GMT — Israel's genocidal war on besieged Gaza enters its 300th day

Israel's genocidal war on besieged Palestinians of Gaza has entered its 300th day with at least 39,445 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed by the invading Israeli troops in the enclave and over 91,000 wounded, according to local health authorities.

Nearly 10 months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its military invasion in the southern city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

03:20 GMT — US tells Americans in Lebanon to depart if possible

The United States has urged its citizens to not travel to Lebanon, citing rising tensions between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group.

The US State Department raised its travel advisory to Lebanon to level four, which says "Do Not Travel." The State Department advised Americans in Lebanon to depart if possible.

"If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate. The US Embassy strongly encourages US citizens who are already in southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart."

02:30 GMT — UN holds emergency meeting after Israel asssasinates Haniyeh

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting after a set of air strikes hours apart killed two resistance leaders in the Middle East, raising concerns that a regional war could erupt.

The killings of Hamas' political chief and top negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran and of a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon have stirred a diplomatic scramble at the UN and elsewhere to try to contain the complex, mounting tensions in the region.

"The various attacks over the past few days represent a serious and dangerous escalation," UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said as the council meeting began. She called for diplomatic efforts "to change the trajectory and seek a path toward regional peace and stability."

For our live updates from Wednesday, July 31, 2024, click here.