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💥🇨🇾 Cyprus in Hezbollah's sights?

💥🇨🇾 Cyprus in Hezbollah's sights?

regional tensions escalate again

Ross Crabtree
June 20, 2024

Welcome back,

The last 24 hours have seen Lebanon-based Hezbollah threaten the island of Cyprus, and Israeli forces advance further into Rafah, indicating a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Filipino soldiers and Chinese coastguard personnel have clashed in the South China Sea, marking another episode of confrontation.

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1️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Israeli tanks, backed by warplanes and drones, advanced deeper into Rafah, displacing more families as the conflict with Hamas continues unabated. The latest incursion killed eight Palestinians, adding to the rising death toll and destruction. Despite international mediation efforts, no ceasefire has been achieved, and the UN has raised concerns over potential violations of war laws by Israeli forces.

2️⃣🇻🇳 Vietnam: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Hanoi for a state visit following his defense pact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Met by top Vietnamese officials, Putin's visit has been criticized by the US for potentially normalizing Russia's international law violations. Discussions will focus on trade, scientific, technological, and humanitarian collaboration. Despite limited economic ties, Russia's historical support and energy cooperation with Vietnam remain significant.

3️⃣🇾🇪 Yemen: Leading shipping industry groups have called for urgent action to stop Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, following the sinking of a second ship. The groups condemned these incidents as violations of freedom of navigation, targeting "innocent seafarers." The Houthis have been attacking shipping lanes since November, citing support for Palestinians and pressuring Israel. The US and allies have responded by targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.

4️⃣🇳🇨 New Caledonia: Police have arrested pro-independence leader Christian Tein and 10 others over their alleged roles in deadly protests against electoral reform last month. The violence, which erupted over plans to expand voting rights to long-term French residents, resulted in nine deaths and significant damage. French President Emmanuel Macron suspended the controversial plan and dissolved parliament for snap elections. The arrests have been condemned by pro-independence groups, calling them "abusive" and urging calm.

5️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: A UN Human Rights Office report claims that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza may have systematically violated war laws protecting civilians and infrastructure. The report, which examined six specific attacks, verified 218 deaths and extensive destruction of civilian objects. Israel’s mission in Geneva rejected the findings as flawed and accused Hamas of using civilians as shields, asserting that the IDF operates in accordance with international law.

Major Story

💥🇨🇾 Cyprus in Hezbollah's Sights?

In a heated address, Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, warned that Cyprus could become a target if it allows Israel to use its territory for military operations against the Lebanese militia. This stark warning came as Israeli officials announced preparations for a potential wider offensive against Hezbollah. Nasrallah's remarks highlighted the increasingly perilous situation in the region, emphasizing that a full-scale Israeli offensive would lead to a war “without rules or ceilings.”

Cyprus, which has a bilateral defense cooperation agreement with Israel, quickly responded to Nasrallah’s threats. President Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed Cyprus’s neutral stance, stating, “Cyprus remains uninvolved in any military conflicts and positions itself as part of the solution rather than the problem.” He also emphasized the island’s humanitarian efforts, including facilitating a sea corridor to transport aid to Gaza. Christodoulides assured that Cyprus is committed to peace and stability, and the threats from Hezbollah would be addressed through diplomatic channels.

Nasrallah's speech coincided with Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, where strikes killed three Hezbollah fighters. The tension between Israel and Hezbollah has been escalating since early October, with both sides exchanging fire. Nasrallah declared that Hezbollah's role was to support Hamas in Gaza, and he boasted about the group’s extensive intelligence capabilities, including surveillance footage of Haifa, demonstrating Hezbollah’s readiness for extensive conflict.

The situation remains volatile as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict appear increasingly challenging. A US envoy has been shuttling between Israel and Lebanon to defuse the tensions, but progress seems elusive. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, coupled with international criticism and fears of regional conflict, adds to the complexity. The top UN court has recently highlighted a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, further intensifying the international scrutiny on Israel's actions.

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1️⃣🇺🇸🇮🇱 US/Israel: The White House canceled a meeting with Israel on Iran after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of withholding weapons amid the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu’s claim that the Biden administration withheld ammunition angered US officials, prompting the cancellation to signal consequences for such accusations. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refuted Netanyahu's allegations, stating only one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs was under review due to concerns over civilian casualties in Rafah.

2️⃣🇿🇦 South Africa: Investors celebrated as Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term as president, following a power-sharing agreement between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange rose 1.2% on Wednesday, with the rand strengthening against the dollar. The coalition, seen as pro-business, has sparked optimism for economic reform and growth, though analysts warn of challenges ahead in implementing policies and maintaining political stability.

3️⃣🇰🇵 North Korea: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showcased their close relationship by driving an Aurus limousine together in Pyongyang. This public relations event followed their signing of a mutual defense pact, marking a significant strategic move for Russia in the Asia Pacific. Kim, who already owns another Aurus gifted by Putin, was seen grinning as they took turns at the wheel of the Russian-built car.

4️⃣🇾🇪 Yemen: The shipping industry has called for urgent action in the Red Sea following the Houthi attack that sank a Greek-owned vessel. The Houthis have escalated attacks on merchant shipping since November, with over 70 strikes and rising concerns about drone boat attacks. International naval forces are providing defensive support, but the industry warns of increased risks and higher insurance premiums.

5️⃣🇵🇭 Philippines: Filipino soldiers fought off armed Chinese coastguard personnel using their "bare hands" during a tense confrontation at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Chinese coastguard reportedly boarded and damaged Philippine navy boats, seizing supplies and injuring soldiers. The Philippines' military chief likened the act to piracy and demanded the return of seized equipment and compensation for the damages.