Israel-Hamas Conflict: Iraq Moves To 'Permanently' End US-Led Mission; Islamic State Claims Iran Attacks

Iraq to establish committee in preparation for 'permanent' end of US-led mission

The Iraqi government will establish a bilateral committee that will focus on efforts to "permanently" end the U.S.-led international coalition in Iraq, according to a Friday statement from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office.

An Iraqi government official said the committee will include representatives of the military coalition, as per Reuters. "We stress our firm position in ending the existence of the international coalition after the justifications for its existence have ended," Sudani said according to the statement.

The news comes day after a U.S. attack killed a commander of the pro-Iran militia Al-Nujaba movement in Baghdad Thursday.

Hezbollah doesn't want to intervene in war: Top Lebanese politician

Samir Geagea, the leader of the influential Lebanese Forces party, said Friday that Hezbollah has no intention to join the Israel-Hamas war and is focused on "internal gains," the Al-Arabiya channel reported.

Geagea is a known critic of the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, which has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israeli troops at the Israeli-Lebanese border since the war in Gaza started.

EU foreign policy chief to visit Lebanon

Josep Borrell will be in Lebanon from Jan. 5-7, 2024 to discuss the tense situation at the Israel-Lebanon border, the European Union said.

"The mission will be an occasion to discuss all aspects of the situation in and around Gaza, including its impact on the region, especially the situation at the Israeli-Lebanese border, as well as the importance of avoiding regional escalation," the EU said.

Israeli fighter jets attack Hezbollah posts in two Lebanese villages

Israeli warplanes attacked Hezbollah sites in Ayta ash Shab and Majdal Zun, two villages in southern Lebanon, the IDF said Friday morning local time.

IRGC chief says Islamic State acting on behalf of US, Israel

Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accused the Islamic State of "acting as agents for America and Israel" after the insurgent group claimed responsibility for two explosions in Kerman Wednesday, the Iranian government's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Friday.

Two explosions near the tomb of slain Iranian Gen. Soleimani on Wednesday killed nearly a hundred people who were attending a ceremony to commemorate the death of the military figure in a U.S. airstrike in 2020.

IDF eliminates 'terrorist squad' in overnight operations

The Israeli army said it eliminated a "terrorist squad" during overnight operations at the Al-Bureij camp and Khan Yunis, the known hometown of Hamas' top leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

Israeli troops eliminated more than 100 targets across the Gaza Strip, including rocket launching positions, military sites and other infrastructure, the IDF said.

British lawyer chosen to represent Israel at ICJ

Professor Malcom Shaw, a British lawyer specializing in territorial disputes, has been confirmed as Israel's representative at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) next week for hearings of the case lodged by South Africa, local media reported.

The ICJ announced this week that it will hold public hearings on the case that accuses Israel of committing "genocidal acts" against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

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Families of remaining hostages protest outside war cabinet minister's house

The families of remaining hostages in Gaza and those still missing since the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas are protesting outside the house of war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, local media reported Friday local time.

The demonstration comes hours after the IDF revealed that the number of remaining hostages in Gaza has climbed to 136.

Hostage number increases

The number of remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip has risen to 136 after three Israeli citizens, who were until Thursday were said to be missing, were "recognized as hostages," IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari announced.

The previous number was at 129, following the accidental killing of three hostages by Israeli forces late last month.

IDF moves humanitarian passage

The Israeli army on Friday morning announced the closure of the humanitarian corridor at the Salah al-Din road. Instead, the IDF is opening a new passage for evacuating Gaza residents at the Al-Rashid Street.

Evacuations will be assisted only from the north to the south of the enclave, IDF spokesperson for Arab media Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee wrote in a Google-translated post on X.

Israel to return envoy to Spain following 'positive change' in government's messaging

Israel's ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, will return to Madrid next week after "a positive change in the messages coming from the Spanish government and the importance of Israel-Spain relations," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Radian-Gordon was recalled in November after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed "serious doubts" that the Israeli campaign in Gaza complied with international humanitarian laws.

Blinken to make week-long trip across Middle East amid surging tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to different parts of the Middle East from Jan. 4-11, including in Tel Aviv.

"Throughout his trip, the Secretary will underscore the importance of protecting civilian lives in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, securing the release of all remaining hostages; our shared commitment to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza," as per a statement by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

He added that Blinken will ensure "Palestinians are not forcibly displaced from Gaza."

Blinken's week-long travels in the region were scheduled amid heightening fears of a regional spillover from the raging Israel-Hamas war.

Cabinet meeting explodes after some politicians target IDF chief: Local reports

The cabinet meeting Thursday night became a "shouting match" after some ministers, including controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, lashed out at officials of the Israeli army amid reports that the IDF was planning to question some government officials over their support of the 2005 disengagement of Israel from Gaza.

At one point in the heated meeting, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz raised his voice at ministers attacking IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the reports stated.

One minister told Israel's national broadcaster Kan that "there was a despicable discussion that exploded." Another minister told the outlet that Halevi was "lynched" and was attacked "personally and endlessly."

Before the meeting ended, some senior security officials reportedly left.

No Israeli civilian presence in a post-war Gaza: Israeli defense minister's proposal

Gallant on Thursday proposed a four-phase plan for the Gaza Strip after the war ends, which includes a provision that suggests Palestinian authorities will play a key role in the enclave's civil affairs while the Israeli army will retain full military control of the Strip without a civilian presence in the area.

"Gaza residents are Palestinian, therefore Palestinian bodies will be in charge, with the condition that there will be no hostile actions or threats against the State of Israel," Gallant told reporters of his proposed plan.

Houthi drone boat detonates in busy area of Red Sea

An explosive-laden Houthi drone boat detonated in the Red Sea Thursday near dense shipping lanes, the U.S. Navy said. The blast didn't cause any damage or casualties, the Navy added.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Naval forces in the Middle East, told reported that the exploding boat "came within a couple of miles of ships operating in the area – merchant ships and U.S. Navy ships – and we all watched as it exploded."

The news comes after 13 countries, including the U.S., warned the Yemeni rebel militia against continued attacks in the Red Sea that target commercial shipping operations.

Netanyahu says Israel wants 'fundamental change' in northern border

The Israeli prime minister expressed Israel's commitment to "bringing about a fundamental change" on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, during a meeting with U.S. special presidential envoy Amos Hochstein Thursday.

The goal is to ensure that northern Israel residents can return to their homes safely. "The Prime Minister emphasized that we will not stop until this goal has been achieved, whether diplomatically, which Israel prefers, or in some other way," as per a statement from Netanyahu's office.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Kerman blasts

Islamic State on Thursday claimed responsibility for two explosions in Kerman, Iran, that killed nearly 100 people and injured many others during a ceremony that commemorated the fourth death anniversary of Iran's Gen. Soleimani.

The insurgent group said two IS members detonated explosive belts in the southeastern city Wednesday.

Soleimani was killed in a U.S. strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020 upon the order of then President Donald Trump.

PIJ chief of operational staff assassinated: IDF

An Israeli strike in northern Gaza Thursday killed Mamdouh Lolo, the chief of operational staff of Hamas ally PIJ, the IDF said.

Lolo is accused of planning and leading "countless attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers." He is also said to be in communication with other senior PIJ officials overseas.