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Hezbollah leader says exploding device attacks crossed ‘all red lines’
Hezbollah’s leader has said bomb attacks using thousands of the Lebanese armed group’s pagers and radios “crossed all red lines”, and accused Israel of what he said represented a declaration of war.
In a much-anticipated speech, Hassan Nasrallah acknowledged Hezbollah had suffered an “unprecedented blow”, but he vowed it would continue fighting and inflict a “just punishment”.
Israel has not said it was behind the blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday, which Lebanese authorities said killed 37 people and wounded 3,000.
As Nasrallah spoke, Israeli warplanes caused sonic booms over Beirut, scaring an already-exhausted population, and others struck targets in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military said it was operating to “degrade Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities and infrastructure” and to “bring security to northern Israel”.
Eleven months of cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel sparked by the war in Gaza have killed hundreds of people, most of them Hezbollah fighters, and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
Hezbollah has said it is acting in support of the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Both are backed by Iran and proscribed as terrorist organisations by Israel, the UK and other countries.
There were no surprises in Hassan Nasrallah’s televised address on Thursday afternoon – his first public reaction to the exploding device attacks which created panic across Lebanon and raised fears of another major war between Hezbollah and Israel.
In what was a humiliating security breach, 12 people were killed, including two children, when pagers used by Hezbollah members to communicate blew up almost simultaneously across the country on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s health minister. Another 25 were killed when walkie-talkies exploded the next day.
Reports citing Lebanese and US sources said Israeli intelligence operatives were likely to have planted small amounts of explosives inside the devices or their batteries.
“The enemy crossed all rules, laws and red lines. It didn’t care about anything at all, not morally, not humanely, not legally,” Nasrallah said.
“This is massacre, a major aggression against Lebanon, its people, its resistance, its sovereignty, and its security. It can be called war crimes or a declaration of war – whatever you choose to name it, it is deserving and fits the description. This was the enemy’s intention,” he added.
The Hezbollah leader acknowledged that this was a massive and unprecedented blow for his group, but he insisted that its ability to command and communicate remained intact.
Nasrallah’s tone was defiant and he vowed a harsh punishment. But, again, he indicated that Hezbollah was not interested in an escalation of its current conflict with Israel.
The group’s cross-border attacks, he said, were going to continue unless there was a ceasefire in Gaza, and that no killings or assassinations would return residents to northern Israel.
Shortly before the speech, crowds of Hezbollah supporters gathered in the capital’s southern suburbs to bury two members killed on Tuesday. Some people said they had been shaken by the explosions, but that they were determined to resist.
On Thursday morning, Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon fired two anti-tank missiles across the border, followed by drones.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said two Israeli soldiers were killed and a third seriously wounded.
The latest exchanges come at a time when Israel says its military focus has shifted away from Gaza to the situation in the north.
The IDF said on Thursday that its chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, had “recently completed approval of plans for the northern arena”.
Later, at a meeting of military and intelligence chiefs, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: “In the new phase of the war there are significant opportunities but also significant risks.”
“Hezbollah feels that it is being persecuted and the sequence of military actions will continue,” he added.
“Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. As time goes by, Hezbollah will pay an increasing price.”
It is not clear how Israel intends to achieve this goal. But reports earlier this week suggested that the general in charge of the IDF’s Northern Command favoured the creation of an Israeli-controlled buffer zone inside southern Lebanon.
In his speech, Hassan Nasrallah called the general a fool and said that any such move would have dire consequences for Israel.
(BBC)
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Bondi Beach gunmen who killed 15 after targeting Jewish celebration were father and son, police say
New South Wales Police say 15 people, including a 10 year old girl were killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday – their ages range from 10 to 87
The attack happened while an event was being held to mark the start of Hanukkah – police say they’re treating it as a terror incident
The two gunmen were father and son, police say. The 50-year-old man also died at the scene while the 24-year-old remains in hospital in critical condition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the attack “an act of pure evil” that “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community
(BBC)
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Those who receive education and recognition under the government have a responsibility to society- Prime Minister
The ninth phase of the islandwide programme to recognise outstanding achievers at the G.C.E. Advanced Level implemented by the Presidential Fund, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday 14 th of December at Temple Trees.
Under this phase, students from the Western Province who obtained excellent results at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations in the years 2023 and 2024 were recognised. Accordingly, 361 outstanding students from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts were awarded scholarships amounting to LKR 36.1 million by the Presidential Fund.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Presidential Fund is a public fund belonging to the people, and that the government has made a special effort to ensure it is perceived and functions in the interest of the general public.
The Prime Minister further noted that the government has succeeded in transforming the Presidential Fund which previously was seen as accessible mainly to those holding special power or positions, and characterised by complex procedures difficult for ordinary citizens into a simplified system that allows applications to be submitted online and through Divisional Secretariat offices near you.
The Prime Minister emphasised that all these programmes are being implemented with the objective of developing human resources in a manner compatible with the contemporary world with the aim of moving the country forward. She further stated that the government is committed to nurturing human resources capable of understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world.
She noted that in this regard, a new agenda has been initiated to bring a transformation into the education system from 2026 onwards, with the aim of producing productive and responsible citizens.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need to nurture a responsible human resource that values democracy, loves and protects the environment, demonstrates leadership, compassion, and a sense of collectivity.
The Prime Minister reiterated that every government has invested in the education of students using public funds generated through the taxes paid by all citizens, and noted that, it is because you possess the ability to serve society and provide leadership
The Prime Minister stated, the recognition conferred today is an investment in you and those who receive education and recognition under the government bear a responsibility to serve society.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, stated that while the Presidential Fund had previously been known among the public primarily as a source of financial assistance for severe illnesses such as heart disease, the scope of its utilisation has been expanded under the new government, with education identified as a key focus area.
He further noted that the government’s vision of inclusivity is closely aligned with the objectives of the Presidential Fund.
The event was attended by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Presidential Fund, Roshan Gamage; Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Prageeth Madhuranga; Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof; the Chairman of the University Grants Commission; members of the Board of Management of the Presidential Fund; public officials; the students who were recognised; and their parents and guardians.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Education should not be a burden to children at this moment. Priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that education should not be a burden to children during the recovery period after the disaster, and priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being. The Prime Minister emphasized that this approach would help foster a supportive school environment during disaster situations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Nuwara Eliya District on measures to restore educational activities and reopen schools for students following the recent disaster situation.
Although the Ministry of Education has decided to reopen schools island-wide on the 16 th of December, the Prime Minister noted that the authority has been granted to the relevant provincial and district authorities to make decisions regarding the reopening of schools in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister further stated that prior to reopening schools located in high-risk areas, recommendations from the National Building Research Organization must be obtained, and special attention should be paid to access roads and infrastructure. The Prime Minister further mentioned that teachers and students who have experienced hardships should be allowed flexibility in wearing comfortable attire.
During the meeting, District education authorities informed that, despite numerous challenges, educational reforms are progressing rapidly, and that 51% of teacher training activities in the Nuwara Eliya District have already been completed. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister further stressed that these challenges must be overcome collectively in order to move forward to achieve a better position than before following the disaster situation.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne; Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Manjula Suraweera Arachchi; Members of Parliament Kalai Chelvi and Anushka Tilakaratne, Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Ms. Thushari Tennakoon; and several government officials.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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