International

Israel claims to be prepared for the possibility of an imminent attack by Iran and Hizbulah

“Israel is prepared for a multi-fronted threat,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday when intelligence information collected by both the country and the United States points to an imminent attack by Iran and Hezbollah, probably in the next 24 hours.

Israel has been on “maximum alert” since last week after both Iran and Hezbollah swore revenge for the murders of the leader of Hamas, Isamil Haniyeh, in Tehran; and the top military leader of the Lebanese Shiites, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut.

Since then, several intelligence sources pointed out that this coordinated attack – which could be joined by other Iranian satellites such as the Houthis of Yemen, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq or the pro-Iranian militias of Syria – could occur on the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av, which began today at sunset and commemorates the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem.

“About the tense days we are living, after Iran and all our enemies of the axis of evil have declared their intention to attack us soon with great force; I emphasize: the State of Israel is prepared to face this multi-frontal threat,” the president said today in a message to the citizenry on the occasion of Tisha B’av.

“We have first-class military capabilities; an air force and advanced multidimensional defense systems that are on high alert and ready; in addition to exhaustive intelligence,” he stressed.

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Herzog called on the Israelis to “act responsibly, follow instructions, remain calm,” in the face of the imminence of such an attack, on which the command of the domestic front of the Army, has not yet changed the precautionary instructions to the population.”

The president also referred to the “diplomatic and security alliances and associations” that seek to thwart any “enemy action,” alluding to the United States, which in the last week has deployed defensive systems, including aircraft carriers, warships and ballistic missiles, to the Middle East to help Israel repel such an attack.

“The most important thing is that the strongest power in the world, the United States, is committed to our security,” Herzog stressed.

Precisely the White House spokesman, John Kirby, said today that Washington shares Israel’s assessment that Iran and its allies could launch the large-scale attacks this week and suggested that one of the purposes may be to hinder the negotiations for a ceasefire that was scheduled to resume this Thursday, August 15, although Hamas announced last night that it would not send a delegation.

In his message, Herzog also showed his “firm support” for an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which will allow the return of the 111 kidnapped on October 7 who are still being held.

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“The duty of a State to its citizens is, above all, to bring them back home, away from the enemy. With creativity, determination, courage, initiative and with all the commitment,” he said in his message, which was broadcast by video at a demonstration organized by the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv, on the occasion of Tisha B’av.

International

Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids

Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.

The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.

In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.

He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”

The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.

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The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.

International

Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win

Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.

“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.

In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”

International

Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains

Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.

The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.

“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”

Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.