Hezbollah launches heavy rocket barrage on northern Israel amid ongoing conflict
Hezbollah launched a significant rocket barrage targeting northern Israel, including the cities of Haifa and the Krayot region, marking one of the most intense shelling events since the conflict's escalation. Israeli media reported that around 100 rockets were fired from border sites, areas previously claimed to be under Israeli control. The strike resulted in direct casualties in the Krayot area, with reports of at least three people wounded in Bi’ina. Emergency services were quickly deployed to the region.
The attack also affected other parts of northern Israel, including Haifa, Kiryat Bialik, and Kiryat Ata. Sirens were heard across Haifa, the Krayot, and the surrounding industrial zones, signaling a significant escalation in the violence. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav described the scale of the attack as one of the largest since Hezbollah began shelling northern Israel on October 8.
In a shift to higher-grade weaponry, Hezbollah launched two ballistic missiles as part of the assault. The group took responsibility for the attack, claiming they targeted a training base for the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade in the Karmiel settlement.
The timing of this attack follows recent statements by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who claimed that Israel had "defeated Hezbollah" and emphasized that it was now Israel's responsibility to press further for victory. This missile salvo comes just a day after Katz’s remarks, marking an escalation of hostilities between the two sides.
Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has engaged in limited but direct action against Israeli forces. Tensions have been high, with Israel conducting cyber-attacks and airstrikes, and targeting Hezbollah leaders. The situation has further escalated with widespread bombings and assassinations, contributing to a growing death toll in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that, as of November 10, 3,189 Lebanese have been killed and over 14,000 injured since the beginning of Israel's aggression on Lebanon.
Rockets from Lebanon made direct impact north of Haifa and a number of Israelis were reportedly wounded. pic.twitter.com/sih8q0EFmG
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) November 11, 2024
Destruction in Kiryat Biyalik, north of Haifa, as a result of 100 rockets fired from Lebanon, the largest barrage towards the city since the war began. pic.twitter.com/AgtMG4xGlQ
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) November 11, 2024
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
