Late Sunday, a fresh wave of airstrikes targeted the suburbs of Beirut as Israel ramped up its offensive in northern Gaza and southern Lebanon, escalating the conflict with militant groups backed by Iran throughout the region. Palestinian authorities reported that a strike on a mosque resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 19 individuals, highlighting the severe toll of the ongoing violence.
As the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, approaches, Israel has opened a new front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The Israeli military acknowledged a Hezbollah assault on the northern city of Haifa, although it was unclear whether the debris from “fallen projectiles” was from rockets or interception efforts. Hezbollah claimed its intention was to target a nearby naval base. The Magen David Adom ambulance service reported treating ten individuals, primarily for shrapnel injuries. Additionally, Israel has pledged to retaliate against Iran following a ballistic missile strike on its territory last week. This expanding conflict poses a risk of further involving the United States, which has been a key provider of military and diplomatic backing for Israel. Meanwhile, Iran-aligned militant groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also engaged in long-range attacks against Israel. As memorial events for the October 7 attack approach, Israel remains on high alert, while global rallies continue to commemorate the anniversary.
