Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani 'in good health'

Earlier today we reported that Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, had not been heard from since Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital, Beirut, late last week.

The force's deputy commander Iraj Masjedi has now confirmed Qaani, is in "good health".

"He is in good health and is carrying out his activities. Some ask us to issue a statement… there is no need for this," Masjedi was quoted as saying by Iranian state media in reference to Qaani.

The Iranian Students' News Agency reported that a message from Qaani was conveyed to a conference in solidarity with Palestinian children held on Monday in Tehran, adding that the commander could not attend "due to his being in another important meeting".

No confirmation likely Hezbollah successor Hashem Safieddine dead

The Israeli government say they do not have confirmation that likely Hezbollah successor Hashem Safieddine is dead, Reuters reports.

Safieddine had emerged as the likely successor of the militant group after leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike on September 27.

Days later, Safieddine was targeted by Israel in another air strike. 

Hezbollah said they had "lost contact" with him and he was missing. 

Asked if Israel could confirm the death of Hashem Safieddine, spokesperson David Mencer told an online briefing: "We don't have that confirmation yet. When it is confirmed, as and when, it will be on the IDF (Israeli military) website."

French foreign minister says 'force alone cannot guarantee Israel's security'

Israel's security cannot be guaranteed with military force alone and will require a diplomatic solution, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.

"Force alone cannot guarantee the security of Israel, your security. Military success cannot be a substitute for a political perspective," Barrot told reporters during a visit to Israel.

"To bring the hostages home to their loved ones, to allow the displaced to return home in the north, after a year of war, the time for diplomacy has come."

Reporting by Reuters

UK withdraws family members of embassy staff from Israel

Britain has withdrawn the families of its embassy staff working in Israel due to the escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and the risk of a wider regional conflict.

"As a precautionary measure following escalation in the region, family members of British Embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn," the Foreign Office travel advice web page for Israel read. "Our staff members remain."

Britain advises citizens against all travel to the area close to the border with Gaza and "all but essential travel" to other parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the yearlong conflict between Israel and Hamas.

But British citizens living in Israel are not being told to leave. Instead, they are being advised that consular assistance is "severely limited".

"We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks," the advice reads. "We strongly encourage you to check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice."

Reporting by Reuters

Joe Biden: Far too many civilians have suffered

US President Joe Biden has released a statement affirming support for Israel and detailing hopes for a Gaza ceasefire.

He said Hamas's October 7 terror attack on Israel was a dark day for Palestinians and that too many civilians have suffered in a year of conflict," he said.

"Vice President Harris and I remain fully committed to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist.

"We support Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran."

Biden went on to describe civilian suffering and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

"I believe that history will also remember October 7th as a dark day for the Palestinian people because of the conflict that Hamas unleashed that day. Far too many civilians have suffered far too much during this year of conflict — and tens of thousands have been killed, a human toll made far worse by terrorists hiding and operating among innocent people.

"We will not stop working to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza that brings the hostages home, allows for a surge in humanitarian aid to ease the suffering on the ground, assures Israel's security, and ends this war.

"Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live in security, dignity, and peace. We also continue to believe that a diplomatic solution across the Israel-Lebanon border region is the only path to restore lasting calm and allow residents on both sides to return safely to their homes."

Germany's Scholz reiterates support for Israel

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated his country's support for Israel and its battle against Hamas militants on Monday.

"We feel with you the horror, the pain, the uncertainty and the sadness. We stand by your side," he said. "The Hamas terrorists must be fought."

Scholz also drew attention to the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, saying that "people need hope and perspectives if they are to renounce terror."

"That's why the federal government is calling for a ceasefire, for the hostages to be freed, and for a political process - even if that seems more distant today than ever," he said.

Israeli Air Force destroy rocket launcher in Khan Younis

The Israeli Air Force "attacked and destroyed" a launcher that fired rockets into central Israel earlier today, the IDF said.

"During the attack, secondary explosions were seen indicating the presence of weapons," it said. 

"In addition, the 215th Fire Brigade attacked with artillery the launcher that fired at the Gaza Strip at 12:58."

More strikes in southern Lebanon

The IDF has confirmed it is currently conducting more strikes in southern Lebanon. 

"Air Force fighter jets are now widely attacking terrorist targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation in southern Lebanon," it said. 

Türkiye president says Israel will 'pay the price'

The president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has released a statement saying Israel will "pay the price" for "genocide" in Gaza.

Israel has strenuously denied allegations of genocide.

In a lengthy statement on X, Erdogan said Türkiye would "continue to stand against the Israeli government, no matter what the cost" as he called on the world to take the same stance.

"Israel's long-standing policy of genocide, occupation and invasion must now come to an end," he said.

"It should not be forgotten that Israel will sooner or later pay the price for this genocide that it has been carrying out for a year and is still continuing."