Escalating Conflict in Lebanon and Gaza
Powerful new explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs late Saturday as Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon, also striking a Palestinian refugee camp deep in the north for the first time as it targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.
Thousands of people in Lebanon, including Palestinian refugees, continued to flee the widening conflict in the region, while rallies were held around the world marking the approaching anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza.
Recent Developments
The strong explosions began near midnight after Israel’s military urged residents to evacuate areas in Beirut’s Haret Hreik, Choueifat and Burj el-Barajneh neighborhoods.
AP video showed the blasts illuminating the densely populated southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. They followed a day of sporadic strikes and the nearly continuous buzz of reconnaissance drones.
Israel’s military confirmed it was striking targets near Beirut and said about 30 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with some intercepted.
Humanitarian Crisis
At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks. Israel says it aims to drive the militant group away from shared borders so displaced Israelis can return to their homes.
Nearly 375,000 people have fled from Lebanon into Syria in less than two weeks, according to a Lebanese government committee.
International Response
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told reporters in Damascus that “we are trying to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and in Lebanon.” The minister said the unnamed countries putting forward initiatives include regional states and some outside the Middle East.
Araghchi spoke a day after the supreme leader of Iran praised its recent missile strikes on Israel and said it was ready to do it again if necessary.
Fleeing Lebanon on Foot
Israel’s military earlier Saturday said about 90 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Most were intercepted, but several fell in the northern Arab town of Deir al-Asad, where police said three people were slightly injured.
At least six people in Lebanon were killed in more than a dozen Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.
Conclusion
The escalating conflict in Lebanon and Gaza has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people displaced and many killed. The international community is working to broker a cease-fire, but the situation remains volatile.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Lebanon and Gaza?
A: The conflict in Lebanon and Gaza is escalating, with Israel launching airstrikes and Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel.
Q: How many people have been killed in the conflict?
A: At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed, and thousands more have been displaced.
Q: What is the international community doing to address the situation?
A: The international community is working to broker a cease-fire, with Iran’s foreign minister saying that unnamed countries are putting forward initiatives to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon.
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The situation in Gaza is dire, with almost 42,000 Palestinians killed and almost 90% of Gaza’s residents displaced.