Beirut’s suburbs were rocked by a new wave of airstrikes on Sunday night, as Israel intensifies its military operations in both northern Gaza and southern Lebanon. The violence has escalated into a broader conflict involving Iran-backed militant groups throughout the region. Palestinian officials reported that a recent airstrike on a mosque resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 19 individuals.
As the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023 approaches, Israel has opened a fresh front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has engaged in cross-border skirmishes since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed a Hezbollah strike targeting the northern city of Haifa, although it remains uncertain if the damage was caused by Hezbollah’s rockets or Israeli interception efforts. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attempting to target a naval base nearby, with the Magen David Adom ambulance service reporting that ten individuals were treated for injuries, mainly caused by shrapnel.
In addition to fighting in Lebanon, Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran following a ballistic missile attack directed at its territory last week. The ongoing conflict poses a risk of further involving the United States, which has been a key military and diplomatic ally to Israel. Iran-affiliated militant groups based in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also initiated long-range attacks targeting Israel.
As Israel prepares for memorial events commemorating the October 7 attack, global rallies continue to take place in remembrance of the victims, heightening the tension surrounding the anniversary and the ongoing conflict.