Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon on Saturday in response to rockets fired at Israel, resulting in casualties, including a child, marking the most intense exchange of fire since the ceasefire with Hezbollah. Rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel, raising concerns about the fragile truce. Hezbollah denied involvement in the attack, asserting its commitment to the ceasefire and accusing Israel of using it as a pretext for further aggression. In response to the rockets targeting northern Israel, Israel vowed a severe response. The strike in the village of Touline in southern Lebanon caused casualties, with Hezbollah launching attacks following a previous incident involving Hamas in Gaza. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full-scale war, leading to casualties and displacement. Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces remained in Lebanon, conducting airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. Lebanese authorities have called on the UN to pressure Israel to withdraw completely. Israel’s Prime Minister authorized military action against multiple targets in Lebanon to protect its citizens and sovereignty. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attacks, labeling them as “primitive.” Lebanon’s Prime Minister urged restraint to avoid a return to war. The UN expressed concern over the escalating violence and its potential impact on the region. Israel intensified its operations in Gaza to pressure Hamas to release hostages, resulting in civilian casualties. The situation remains tense, with the risk of further escalation.
The situation in Gaza remains dire as calls increase on social media for Palestinians to evacuate the area. In a devastating blow, Israel destroyed the only specialized cancer hospital in the territory, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, which was accused of harboring Hamas militants. The Turkish government, which supported the construction and operation of the hospital, claimed that Israeli troops had used it as a base at one point. The death toll in the conflict has risen to around 600 Palestinians since the recent escalation of hostilities by Israel, exacerbated by the blockade of essential supplies to the 2 million residents of Gaza. This move by Israel aims to exert pressure on Hamas during ceasefire negotiations, drawing condemnation from the international community. The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany criticized Israel’s actions as a significant setback and urged an immediate return to a ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties. Meanwhile, memories of past violence haunt the region, with a reference to a hostage crisis in 2023 involving Hamas militants, which resulted in significant loss of life. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 49,000 Palestinians, with a significant number of casualties being women and children. Israeli forces claim to have targeted around 20,000 militants in their offensive. Reporting from Gaza, AP correspondent Shurafa provides on-the-ground updates, assisted by contributions from journalists in Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Berlin. Stay informed on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict by following AP’s comprehensive coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
