Israeli forces engaged in intense combat with Hezbollah fighters in various regions of southern Lebanon on Friday, including a coastal town that hosts the United Nations peacekeeping headquarters. The UNIFIL spokesperson stated that they are closely observing significant confrontations occurring in Naqoura, a coastal area, as well as in the nearby village of Chamaa, located northeast of Naqoura.
UNIFIL, which operates at the southern tip of Lebanon near the Israeli border, has reported being aware of heavy shelling around its bases. Andrea Tenenti, the spokesperson for UNIFIL, assured that their personnel are secure at present, although several UNIFIL posts have come under fire since the onset of Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon that began on October 1. The ongoing conflict has resulted in injuries among peacekeepers.
This escalation in violence followed the International Criminal Court’s recent issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a former defense minister, and a leader of Hamas, all of whom are accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. This marked a significant moment in international law, as it is the first time a sitting leader from a major Western ally has faced such allegations in a global legal court.
The military actions in Gaza, culminating in an expansive and destructive campaign, have resulted in immense devastation across the territory. Nearly the entire population of Gaza—approximately 2.3 million individuals—has been displaced, many of whom are now reliant on humanitarian aid.
The flashpoint for the conflict was the attack led by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of about 250 people. Currently, around 100 hostages are estimated to still be held in Gaza, with many believed to be deceased.
In retaliation, Israel has conducted airstrikes against positions in Lebanon following Hezbollah’s initiation of rocket, drone, and missile attacks into Israeli territory the day after the Hamas incursion. This situation escalated into full-scale warfare in September 2023, after months of ongoing lower-intensity confrontations.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, despair is rising as displaced families flock to bakeries amid severe food shortages and soaring prices. For the second consecutive day, large queues formed outside a bakery in Deir al-Balah, as residents sought bread after bakeries closed for five days due to a lack of flour and humanitarian assistance.
Majdi Yaghi, a 61-year-old internally displaced man, expressed his frustration about his fruitless search for bread to feed his children. The cost of basic food items has skyrocketed, with a small bag of pita bread now priced at $16 compared to around 80 cents the previous month. Other staples like pasta and sugar have also seen significant price hikes, forcing many families to survive on just one meal daily and depend on charitable efforts to meet their basic needs.
In Khan Younis, individuals crowded around the al-Dalu charitable kitchen, which provides bulgur, one of the few food items available in makeshift charity operations. Worker Anas al-Dalu noted that they are preparing meals but emphasized the overwhelming demand from thousands of displaced individuals.
Nour Kanani, a man recently displaced from Khan Younis, lamented the dire situation, stating that the available charity assistance was minimal in comparison to the vast needs of the people. He highlighted a severe crisis characterized by a lack of flour, food, and resources, reiterating the desperate circumstances faced by those in the region.
