IDF says Lebanon invasion possible, Israel Katz declares Hezbollah chief Qassem a target

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IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin on Monday said that it was still possible that the IDF might invade southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah‘s rocket attacks overnight.

Defrin did not commit to such an invasion, but notably did not rule it out.

The IDF chief spokesman emphasized that the IDF had ordered the evacuation of over 50 southern Lebanese villages overnight.

Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem is now in the IDF’s crosshairs

Minutes after Defrin finished his press conference, Defense Minister Israel Katz posted that Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem is now in the IDF’s crosshairs.

Defrin said that the IDF had already killed several top Hezbollah commanders, including in Beirut, and struck dozens of other Hezbollah positions.

Sources told The Jerusalem Post Monday morning that even though Hezbollah had not struck anyone in Israel with its overnight attacks, the IDF was punishing the group with continued attacks going forward and would not be satisfied with the initial overnight response.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888478

US fighter jets downed near American embassy in Kuwait, local authorities confirm

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Smoke was seen rising near the US embassy in Kuwait, and firefighters and ambulances were in the area, a witness told Reuters on Monday. This was later confirmed by Kuwait’s Defense Ministry, which clarified that a number of planes had crashed, but all crewmembers had survived.

The embassy issued a security alert on Monday, saying that there is a continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks over Kuwait. People were urged to avoid approaching the embassy and to take cover in their residences.

Kuwait intercepted hostile drones on Monday, the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighboring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.

Blasts heard in Dubai, sirens in Kuwait

A series of loud blasts was heard on Monday morning in Dubai and the Qatari capital of Doha, according to Reuters witnesses. Loud bangs and sirens were heard earlier in Kuwait, according to Reuters witnesses.

No injuries were reported after Kuwait air defenses intercepted most of the drones near the Rumaithiya and Salwa neighborhoods, the state news agency cited the director-general of the civil defense as saying.

Tehran said it would target US bases in the region after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday.

It has also hit a range of civilian and commercial areas across Gulf cities, widening the conflict’s impact on key regional aviation and trade hubs.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888458

US military aircraft crash in Kuwait

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Saudi refinery targeted as drones intercepted

An oil refinery on Saudi Arabia‘s Gulf coast has been targeted in an attack as Iran launched a new wave of strikes across the region.

A fire broke out at the Ras Tanura refinery, but the blaze was quickly brought under control and extinguished.

The Saudi Defense Ministry said two drones had targeted the facility but had been intercepted, acording to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on X.

Saudi state television said authorities had temporarily shut down the refinery near Dammam. https://www.dw.com/en/iran-war-updates-us-israel-kuwait-warplanes-crash/live-76179461?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf

UAE and WEF launch new phase of partnership

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Abu Dhabi — The UAE Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have launched a new phase of their comprehensive strategic partnership, aimed at strengthening cooperation and expanding public‑private collaboration.

The renewed agreement will see closer collaboration across WEF’s global platforms, including the continued hosting of Global Future Councils meetings, highlighting the long‑standing and deep relationship between the two sides.

The partnership expansion was announced during the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi and World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende.

Al Gergawi highlighted that the two‑decade relationship has evolved into a global collaboration focused on innovation, knowledge exchange, and preparing societies for the future.

Børge Brende noted that the initial focus will be on advancing public‑private partnerships to tackle key socio‑economic challenges, including developing people‑centred regulations for emerging technologies and strengthening economic resilience in developing markets.

The partnership will also support the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution centres, promote innovation in science and technology, and address global challenges such as water security.

Under the agreement, the UAE will continue hosting the Global Future Councils for the next five years, while maintaining an active leadership role across the Forum’s regional and global meetings, including future summits and the annual gathering in Davos.

https://www.yemenonline.info/gulf-news/11271