al jazeera

By Zaheena Rasheed and Alastair McCready
   More communication devices exploded in coordinated attacks across Lebanon, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 450, officials said, a day after simultaneous explosions of pagers used by Hezbollah killed 12 people and wounded thousands.    Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared the start of a “new phase” in the war, saying after months of fighting against Hamas in Gaza, “the centre of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces”.    The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories within a year.    At least 41,272 people have been killed and 95,551 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. In Israel, the number of those killed in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 was at least 1,139 while more than 200 people were taken captive.

    Lebanon’s health minister warns toll from walkie-talkie blasts may rise

    Firass Abiad said the explosions on Wednesday involved “larger and bigger devices that caused more damage”.

    “We’ve observed a significant number of injuries, although many are mild. However, those who sustained serious injuries were severely affected, which raises our concern about a potential rise in the number of deaths,” he told Al Jazeera.

    Abiad said the wounds from explosions involve “internal bleeding, injuries to the abdomen and other parts of the body, including brain haemorrhages”.

    Israel’s top court declines to shut down Sde Teiman

    Israel’s Supreme Court has refused to order the closure of the military-run detention camp for Palestinians, where rights groups say detainees were subjected to severe torture, including beatings and gang rape.

    The court, however, ordered Israeli authorities to comply with laws on detaining enemy combatants during wartime.

    “Protecting the rule of law, even during a difficult war, is the clear expression of the difference between a democratic state, which is fighting for its life, and a terrorist organization, which wants to destroy it,” Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman wrote in Wednesday’s ruling.

    Vogelman added that allegations of criminal conduct at Sde Teiman must be investigated.

    According to The Times of Israel, one Israeli soldier has been charged over the gang-rape of a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman, while five others are under investigation over the case.

    Some 4,000 Palestinians had been held at the facility in the Negev desert, but Israeli authorities say most have now been transferred out.

    UN human rights experts have meanwhile criticised Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees, saying in August that they have “received substantiated reports of widespread abuse, torture, sexual assault and rape, amid atrocious inhumane conditions”.

    The reports indicate at least 53 Palestinians may have died from mistreatment in 10 months, they said.

    Netanyahu hits out at ‘misguided’ British prime minister

    The Israeli prime minister accused his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, of “sending a horrible message” to Hamas with his Labour government’s recent decision to suspend dozens of arm export licences to Israel.

    “After the October 7 Hamas massacre, the previous British government was clear in its support,” Netanyahu told the Daily Mail newspaper, referring to Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.

    But Netanyahu accused Starmer’s government of “sending mixed messages” on its support for Israel.

    “They say that Israel has the right to defend itself, but they undermine our ability to exercise that right both by reversing Britain’s position on the absurd allegations made by the [International Criminal Court] prosecutor against Israel and by blocking weapons sales to Israel,” he said.