An Israeli airstrike on a five-story building housing displaced families in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, killed at least 60 people, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The attack occurred as Israel intensified its operations in Gaza, targeting areas it says are regrouping grounds for Hamas militants. The humanitarian toll of these operations has raised international alarm, as civilians in Gaza face severe displacement and worsening conditions.
Israel Passes Laws Cutting Ties with UN Aid Agency Amid Crisis
Concerns over aid distribution grew after Israel passed laws Monday severing ties with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides essential aid across Gaza. Israel accuses UNRWA of harboring Hamas influence, though the agency denies these claims. UNRWA and other international organizations rely on thousands of workers and logistical support to distribute food, water, and medical aid, with fears mounting that this disruption will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah Following Leadership Shift
In Lebanon, Hezbollah announced Sheikh Naim Kassem as the new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike last month. Hezbollah, which has fired rockets into Israel since the conflict in Gaza erupted, has pledged to continue Nasrallah’s policies. In related violence, eight Austrian soldiers serving in a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon were injured by a midday rocket strike on Tuesday, reportedly fired from the north.
Rising Tensions as Israel Faces Regional and Internal Pressure
Israeli forces continued to carry out strikes on known Hamas strongholds in Gaza, with reports of dozens of Palestinian militants killed, though verification remains challenging. In Israel, ongoing security concerns have led to reinforced security at key sites. In the north, Israel faced intensified Hezbollah rocket attacks, including one that killed a civilian in Maalot-Tarshiha.
International Backlash Over New Israeli Restrictions on UNRWA
U.N. officials expressed outrage at Israel’s decision to restrict UNRWA’s access, warning that it jeopardizes the agency’s critical support for millions of Palestinian refugees. UNRWA remains essential in providing health services, education, and food distribution, especially given that refugee families constitute a majority of Gaza’s population.
