Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks have intensified, killing civilians and soldiers on both sides. This comes as international mediators push for a cease-fire to end the conflict. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched at least 185 rockets and projectiles into Israel, injuring seven people. The strikes marked the group's heaviest barrage in recent days, responding to deadly Israeli attacks in Beirut.
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese army base killed one soldier and injured 18 others near Tyre and Naqoura, an area of intense combat with Hezbollah. Israel’s military expressed regret, stating its operations target Hezbollah, not Lebanese forces. The strike is under investigation.
Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut on Saturday killed at least 20 people and injured 66, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported. Since the conflict's escalation in September, Israeli attacks have killed over 3,500 people in Lebanon, displacing 1.2 million. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attacks, accusing Israel of rejecting cease-fire negotiations. He called the strikes a "bloody message" undermining peace efforts.
The conflict, initially triggered by Hezbollah's support for Hamas after its October 2023 attack on Israel, has escalated into a full-scale war. Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several commanders earlier this year. Since then, Hezbollah has launched rockets, missiles, and drones into Israel, with many intercepted. On Sunday, Israeli police reported damage in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, where missiles caused fires and injuries, including serious cases.
The war has heavily impacted civilians on both sides. In Israel, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have died, while 60,000 residents in the north have been displaced. The Biden administration continues to mediate, with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein engaging regional leaders. Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called for more international pressure on both sides, offering €200 million ($208 million) in aid to Lebanon’s military to bolster its role in a potential agreement.
The proposed deal would see Hezbollah and Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by U.N. peacekeepers, to patrol the area. However, Lebanon’s army, respected for its diversity, faces challenges in countering Hezbollah’s influence and Israel’s military actions. The conflict underscores the need for urgent diplomatic solutions to prevent further suffering.
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