Netanyahu delays US trip due to 'security situation' in North: AFP

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 2024 19:11

Israeli news sources reported earlier today that bomb shelters were opened in several areas in central occupied Palestine.

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A plane that will carry Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, Pool)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will postpone his departure to New York by a day due to the security situation in the northern region of occupied Palestine, an Israeli official who requested not to be named told AFP on Friday.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed his visit to the US by one day in light of the security situation in the north of Israel," the official said, adding that Netanyahu will now depart on September 25, instead of the originally scheduled date of September 24.

The delay comes amid heightened escalation after "Israel" launched an aggression on a residential building in the Lebanese capital's southern suburb earlier today.

The attack leveled the entire residential building to the ground. Initial reports indicate that 9 have been martyred and at least 50 were injured as a result of the attack, the Lebanese Ministry of Health stated shortly after.

Shortly after, the Lebanese Resistance announced it targeted the headquarters of the aerial control unit and the aerial operations division at the Meron base in northern occupied Palestine.

In a statement, the Resistance said it hit the Israeli intelligence base it blames for "assassinations".

Israeli news reports later said that bomb shelters were opened in several areas in central occupied Palestine.

Netanyahu is due to deliver a speech at the annual UN General Assembly session during his visit to the US and is expected to return to the occupied territories on September 28.