IAccording to Israeli military reports, Israeli aircraft bombed two Hezbollah cells in Lebanon. The Israeli army explained that anti-tank missiles were scheduled to be launched at Israel from the two sites.

According to the army, one of the cells was located near the Israeli town of Matat, about 13 kilometers southwest of Aitaroun. The other was north in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.

The Lebanese National News Agency had previously reported an Israeli air strike on the southern outskirts of the town of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon. It is initially unclear whether the two sides are referring to the same events.

All developments in the live stream:

3:30 am – China describes the prospects for conflict in the Middle East as worrying

According to official media reports, the government in Beijing assesses the situation in the Gaza Strip as “extremely dangerous.” China’s special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, was quoted by Chinese state media as saying during his trip to the Middle East that there is a risk of a large-scale ground conflict and the expansion of armed conflict along the neighboring borders.

The forecast is alarming. China is ready to „do everything possible” to promote dialogue, reach a ceasefire and restore peace, as well as support the two-state solution and a just and lasting solution to the conflict. China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians through the United Nations and bilateral channels, and will continue to do so to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

02:37 AM – After the veto: The United States presents a resolution on the Middle East in the UN Security Council

Just days after vetoing a Brazilian draft resolution on the Middle East crisis focusing on humanitarian aid, the United States submitted its own draft resolution to the UN Security Council. Diplomatic circles said on Sunday that the main focus is on the release of hostages kidnapped by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip. It was initially unclear if and when the resolution might be presented to the Security Council in New York for a vote. Russia is likely to use its veto power in this case.

Russia and Brazil have previously submitted resolutions on the Middle East to the UN Security Council. The Russian project did not obtain the required majority, and the United States used its veto against the Brazilian project. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it is understandable why Brazil is pushing ahead with the vote, but it remains to be seen what the impact of diplomatic efforts will be on the ground.

2:33 AM – US President Biden speaks to allies

US President Joe Biden exchanged views with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of government of other allied countries and pledged once again to support Israel. The White House said on Sunday (local time) that the heads of state and government of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy reaffirmed their support for Israel and its right to “defend itself against terrorism.” At the same time, they called for “compliance with international humanitarian law, including the protection of the civilian population.”

The leaders welcomed the arrival of the first shipments of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which Israel closed over the weekend. They pledged to continue coordination with partners in the region “to ensure continued and safe access to food, water, medical supplies and other assistance.” The statement added that they also wish to continue diplomatic efforts with partners in the region to prevent the spread of the conflict and work to reach a political solution and lasting peace in the Middle East.

1:55 AM – Macron travels to Israel on Tuesday

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Israel on Tuesday for a two-day visit. The Elysee Palace announced late Sunday evening in Paris. Details of the trip have not been announced yet. Last week, Macron said he would travel to the Middle East as soon as there was a possibility of concrete negotiations between Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement. It is important for him to be able to reach a concrete agreement to calm the situation and talk about humanitarian issues. As Le Parisien newspaper reported in reference to diplomatic circles, Macron is likely to also travel to Lebanon and Egypt.

The latest reports indicated that the number of French citizens killed in the Hamas attack on Israel reached 30. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris said that seven of its citizens were still missing. It has now been confirmed that some of them have been held hostage by Hamas.

1:06 am – White House: Agreed on the “continuous flow” of aid to Gaza

According to the US government, the suffering civilian population in the Gaza Strip can hope for regular aid arrivals after initial aid transfers began since the beginning of the war. The White House said on Sunday that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a phone call that “there will now be a continued flow of this important aid to Gaza.”

On Saturday, a first aid convoy consisting of 20 trucks brought goods into the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. Aid groups described it as a drop in the ocean and not enough. On the Egyptian side of the border, trucks carrying many tons of relief materials have been waiting for days to transport aid to the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday, a second aid convoy arrived in the Gaza Strip coming from Egypt, according to what the Israeli authority responsible for Palestinian affairs, “Cogat,” announced. The convoy was allowed to pass at the request of the United States. The Palestinian relief agency UNRWA confirmed the arrival of 14 trucks.

12:02 AM – Former Israeli Ambassador: Watch the two-state solution

Israel’s former ambassador to Germany, Shimon Stein, spoke in favor of reviving the idea of ​​a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East. “It is a long way to go at the moment. But we must keep that in mind,” Stein told the German editorial network (Monday). The current Israeli government removed this matter from its agenda. It was a mistake.”

“Conducting a military operation without a political perspective would be a missed opportunity.” He expressed his hope that the planned Israeli ground attack would succeed „by neutralizing the military threat from Hamas.” Then we ask the question: What will happen the next day? We hope that the United States, Germany and the European Union will help us in this matter.” It will be a very difficult task. The question is whether the West would be able to do this if Russia were waging war against Ukraine at the same time, and whether sufficient resources to stabilize Gaza and the Palestinian territories would be sufficient.

Stein assumes a „relatively long war.” “War in the middle of the city is difficult. I experienced it myself as a soldier in 1967 when I was in Gaza. It was bloody.” Stein went on to say that he hoped German solidarity would not collapse as a result of the Israeli ground attack.

Referring to pro-Palestinian demonstrations and anti-Semitic attacks in Germany, Stein said: “The integration of many Palestinians into Germany has failed. They have often taken the war with them from their homeland and are now bringing it down to German soil.