Israel’s new defense minister, Israel Katz, has hinted that Israel has an “opportunity” to target Iran’s nuclear program. He has also told military officials there will be no cease-fire with Hezbollah.

Israel will continue to hit Hezbollah with “full force,” says Israel’s defense minister The UN’s humanitarian agency says Israel often denied access to northern Gaza last month Gaza medical officials say at least 14 have been killed in Israeli strikes in the Palestinian territory on Tuesday Israel’s military says four of its soldiers have died in fighting in northern Gaza

This is a roundup of the latest developments in the conflicts in the Middle East on November 12, 2024.

Iran’s nuclear sites ‘more exposed than ever,’ says Israel’s Katz

Newly appointed Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told military officials on Monday that Iran was “more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities”.

“We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal — to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel,” Katz added on X, formerly Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Israel_katz/status/1856076850352504875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1856076850352504875%7Ctwgr%5Eeb0144dbf162d244c87aeea163c5f7488536c948%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fisrael-s-katz-says-iran-nuclear-sites-exposed-to-strikes%2Flive-70761116

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is rapidly advancing its nuclear program, and is continuing to increase stockpiles of uranium enriched to weapons grade levels in defiance of international demands.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi has warned that Iran possess enough uranium enriched to near- weapons-grade levels to make “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to do so.

Iran claims it’s nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The always tense relations between Israel and its regional archenemy have recently worsened further amid tit-for-tat missile strikes.

Iran twice fired missiles directly on Israeli territory this year, drawing responses in kind from Israel.

No cease-fire with Hezbollah: Israeli defense minister

Israel’s new defense minister, Israel Katz, says he told military officials on Monday that there would be no cease-fire in Lebanon until “the goals of the war are achieved.”

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Katz wrote that he had told the General Defense Forum that “offensive activity should be continued in order to … realize the fruits of victory.”

“In Lebanon there will be no cease-fire and there will be no respite,” the post said.

https://twitter.com/Israel_katz/status/1856219485469839367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1856219485469839367%7Ctwgr%5Eeb0144dbf162d244c87aeea163c5f7488536c948%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fisrael-s-katz-says-iran-nuclear-sites-exposed-to-strikes%2Flive-70761116

Israeli leaders on Monday seemed to send mixed signals on the possibility of a cease-fire in Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who this week replaced Katz in the Foreign Ministry, said Israel was “working with the Americans on the issue,” reporting “a certain progress.”

Israel has escalated its hostilities against Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia since late September, beginning a ground offensive on September 30 after a previous campaign of intense airstrikes.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has been carrying out attacks on Israel since Israel began an offensive in Gaza against Hezbollah ally Hamas in response to deadly raids by the Palestinian militants in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Israeli army says 4 soldiers killed in northern Gaza

The Israeli army said on Tuesday that four of its soldiers had been killed in figthing in the northern Gaza Strip, where it has been carrying out a major offensive.

All four “fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip” on Monday, a statement said.

The deaths bring to 376 the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Palestinian territory since the start of ground operations against Hamas militants in October last year.

Some 43,500 Palestinians have been killed during the campaign, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza. That figure does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 14, officials say

Palestinian medical officials said two Israeli strikes in Gaza late on Monday and early on Tuesday have killed at least 14 people, including two children and a woman.

At least 11 people, including two children, died in a strike on the so-called Muwasi humanitarian zone west of Khan Younis, according to officials at Nasser Hospital.

Al-Awda Hospital officials say three people, including a woman, were killed in another strike that hit a house in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Israel hindering aid to northern Gaza, UN says

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA, says most of its bids to coordinate aid convoys and humanitarian visits to northern Gaza last month were denied or impeded by Israel.

OCHA says it made 98 requests for authorization to enter the war-stricken zone but only 15 made it through.

A spokesperson said Ocha was “worried about the fate of Palestinians remaining in North Gaza as the siege there continues, and urgently calls on Israel to open up the area to humanitarian operations at the scale needed, given the massive needs.”

Residents of northern Gaza are at risk of acute hunger as Israel carries out a major offensive therethat it says aims to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping.

The survey is related to the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), a federal government initiative aimed at empowering nano businesses across Nigeria. This scheme provides financial grants of N50,000 to eligible small business owners in various sectors, such as trading, food services, ICT, transportation, creatives, and artisans.

The PCGS targets 70% women and youth, 10% people with disabilities, and 5% senior citizens, with the remaining 15% distributed to other demographics. The program’s primary objective is to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive sustainable economic development at the grassroots level.

By participating in the survey, you’ll likely be asked about your experiences with the PCGS, its impact on your business, and potential areas for improvement. This feedback will help the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment refine the program and better support small business owners in Nigeria.

Key aspects of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS):

Eligibility: Nano business owners in various sectors, with a focus on women, youth, people with disabilities, and senior citizens.

Grant amount:N50,000 per beneficiary.

Target beneficiaries: 1,000,000 small businesses in 774 local government areas and the six council areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Program goals:Empower nano businesses, drive sustainable economic development, and promote inclusive economic growth

1. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is aware of two separate videos circulating on social media involving one of its officers and clearing agents at Car Park C Terminal under the Tincan Island Port Area Command. The first video captures an incident in which the officer was subjected to what seems like an embarrassment and hostility. In contrast, the second shows a contrasting scenario in which agents warmly received the same officer.

2. It is pertinent to note that the NCS takes these incidents very seriously. Following standard protocol, the service has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both videos. To ensure impartiality and thoroughness, the Customs Police Unit has been saddled to review the videos, gather statements from the officer in question, and engage relevant stakeholders associated with these incidents.

3. In line with the NCS Act 2023 Section 30, the NCS upholds its commitment to a transparent and accountable process. It is important to note that any individual found to be in contravention of NCS regulations—including clearing agents, officers, or other involved parties—will be held accountable under the law and appropriate measures pursued to serve as a deterrent.

4. The NCS management, under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, wishes to assure the general public, stakeholders, and the business community that appropriate action will be taken in response to the investigation’s findings. He urges all parties operating within the port community to conduct their activities responsibly and in line with the principles of respect and professionalism.

5. The NCS is committed to creating a safe and conducive environment for legitimate trade and commerce to thrive across all its formations.

ABDULLAHI MAIWADA
Chief Superintendent of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
For Comptroller-General of Customs
28 October 2024