Israeli strikes pound Lebanese coastal city after residents evacuate

TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — Israeli jets struck multiple buildings in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Tyre on Wednesday, sending up large clouds of black smoke, while Hezbollah confirmed that a top official widely expected to be the militant group's next leader had been killed in an Israeli strike. ...

Fallout from 2023 Hamas attack lingers as Jews worldwide prepare for a holiday meant for joy

NEW YORK (AP) — Customarily, Simchat Torah is one of the most joyous days of the Jewish calendar, highlighted by exuberant dancing around a Torah. Jewish leaders say the joy will return during this week's celebrations, even as Jews recall that last year's Simchat Torah overlapped with Oct. 7, the...

Middle East latest: Sirens sound across Tel Aviv as projectiles are intercepted near Blinken's hotel

Air raid sirens echoed across Tel Aviv on Wednesday as United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to end a visit. Smoke, apparently from an intercepted projectile, could be seen in the sky above the hotel where Blinken was staying. Blinken urged Israel to use its recent...

Top Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine is dead

BEIRUT (AP) — Hashem Safieddine, a strongman who rose through the ranks of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah over decades to become the second-most powerful person within the organization, has died. Safieddine, who was about 60, was killed in early October in a...

Blinken urges Israel to seek enduring deal, as officials say a limited cease-fire has been discussed

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Israel needs to pursue an “enduring strategic success” in Gaza after its tactical victories against Hamas, urging it to seek a deal that would end the war and bring back dozens of hostages. He spoke...

Israel says it killed a Hezbollah official expected to become the group's next leader

BEIRUT (AP) — Israel said Tuesday that one of its airstrikes outside Beirut earlier in the month killed a Hezbollah official widely expected to have replaced the militant group's longtime leader, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in September. There was no immediate...

Middle East latest: Israel says it killed a Hezbollah official expected to be group's next head

The Israeli military said Tuesday a top Hezbollah official who had been widely expected to be the group’s next leader was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut in early October. Hashem Safieddine, a powerful cleric within the party ranks, was expected to succeed Hassan...

It could take 350 years for Gaza to rebuild if it remains under a blockade, UN report says

United Nations agencies have long warned that it could take decades to rebuild Gaza after Israel's offensive against Hamas, one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns since World War II. Now, more than a year into the war, a new report speaks in terms of centuries....

FBI says it's investigating unauthorized release of documents on Israel's possible attack plans

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI said Tuesday that it is investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents on Israel’s preparation for a potential retaliatory attack on Iran. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday that the Biden administration is...

Israel says a Hezbollah official expected to be the group's next leader was killed in an airstrike earlier this month