New Delhi: At least 73 people have been killed, with many others trapped beneath debris, following an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera, citing Gaza’s Government Media Office. The death toll is expected to rise.
Israel also launched attacks on what it identified as Hezbollah arms facilities in southern Beirut on Saturday. This was in response to rockets fired into northern Israel by the Lebanese militant group, and a drone targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s holiday residence. Although Netanyahu was not present at the time, a spokesman indicated it was unclear if the property had been hit. Netanyahu later described the attempt on his life and that of his wife as a “grave mistake”.
Israel aims to intensify its military operations
Despite hopes that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Wednesday might lead to a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, both Hamas and Hezbollah have vowed to continue fighting, raising concerns of further escalation in the Middle East, according to a report by news agency Reuters. With US elections approaching, Israel aims to intensify its military operations to secure its borders and prevent its adversaries from regrouping.
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On Saturday, Israeli forces dropped leaflets over southern Gaza, featuring a picture of Sinwar and the message: “Hamas will no longer rule Gaza.”
In southern Beirut, Israeli strikes left thick clouds of smoke hanging over the city. The targets reportedly included Hezbollah weapon storage sites and an intelligence command centre. Although Israel had issued evacuation warnings for several neighbourhoods in the area, witnesses reported that strikes also took place in other locations.
Rocket barrage launched towards Israel
Meanwhile, air raid sirens have been activated in northern Israel following reports of rockets fired from southern Lebanon, accompanied by the sound of explosions, another Al Jazeera report mentioned.
Israeli media outlets indicated that alerts were issued in northern regions near the southern Lebanese border, including Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Giladi, Kfar Yuval, Metula, Maayan Baruch, Tel Hai, Beit Hillel, Gosherim, and Margaliot.
