Israel and Hezbollah began fighting last year. The Iranian-backed group fired in support of Hamas during the Gaza war. Recently, the situation intensified. Israel targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Many of Hezbollah’s prominent leaders were killed.
On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes killed 22 people in beirut and injured over 100 in central Beirut, according to Lebanese authorities. The attack coincided with a failed Israeli assassination attempt on a senior Hezbollah official. In southern Lebanon, two United Nations peacekeepers were injured. An Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at the U.N. force’s headquarters in Naqoura. This raised concerns about the increasing danger faced by U.N. personnel.
Lebanon’s acting U.N. Ambassador stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions and compliance with international law. Additionally, Israel reported the killing of Muhammad Abdullah. He was the leader of the Islamic Jihad network in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nur Shams in the West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed two additional casualties from an Israeli strike on Nur Shams
There has been no immediate comment from either Israel or Hezbollah regarding this incident. While both Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have expressed support for a ceasefire to end the conflict, there are worries that ongoing military operations are overshadowing diplomatic efforts. The attempt on Wafiq Safa’s life indicates a shift in Israel’s targeting strategy, which has primarily focused on Hezbollah’s military leaders. (CNN, Reuters)
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