Israel escalated its attacks in Lebanon over the weekend, launching airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and hitting a Palestinian refugee camp in the north. The strikes targeted fighters from both Hezbollah and Hamas, prompting tens of thousands of people, including Palestinian refugees, to flee the growing conflict. Demonstrations around the world commemorated the anniversary of the war in Gaza.
Among the casualties was an official from Hamas’ military wing, along with his wife and two young daughters, killed in an attack on the Beddawi camp near Tripoli. Israel claimed responsibility for killing two senior officials from Hamas in Lebanon, emphasizing its efforts to eliminate key figures from both Hamas and Hezbollah in recent weeks. Plumes of smoke filled the sky over Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Lebanon, with over 1,400 deaths, including civilians, paramedics, and fighters, and 1.2 million people displaced within a short period. Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has intensified rocket attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians. Israeli forces have engaged in ground operations in southern Lebanon, clashing with Hezbollah fighters and sustaining casualties.
Israeli military reported rocket fire from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with some projectiles hitting populated areas. Efforts are underway to negotiate a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, involving regional and international stakeholders, including Iran. Thousands of individuals have fled Lebanon into Syria, seeking refuge from the violence, with many crossing the border on foot despite airstrikes damaging the route.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people, including children, prompting further evacuations in strategic areas. Palestinian medical officials reported civilian casualties, while the Israeli military reiterated accusations of Hamas operating within civilian locations. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, with a significant number of residents displaced and infrastructure severely damaged by the prolonged conflict.
