Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting areas in Beirut suburbs and the north in an escalated military offensive. The bombardment included 12 airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, marking the first attack of its kind in that region.
The strike on the Beddawi refugee camp near Tripoli resulted in the deaths of an official from Hamas’s military wing, along with his wife and two young daughters, as reported by the Palestinian militant group. Israeli forces also carried out targeted ground raids against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, destroying missiles, launchpads, watchtowers, and weapons storage facilities. Additionally, tunnel shafts used by Hezbollah near the Israeli border were dismantled.
According to Lebanon’s official news agency, at least six people were killed in more than a dozen Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties and displacements, with around 1,400 Lebanese individuals, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians, killed, and approximately 1.2 million forced to flee their homes since Israel intensified its strikes in late September.
In a related development, Palestinian medical officials reported that Israeli strikes in northern and central Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 9 people, including two children. The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of operating within civilian areas. Israeli strikes prompted warnings for Palestinians to evacuate certain areas, underscoring the challenges in achieving a ceasefire and ensuring civilian safety in the conflict zones.
The situation remains volatile, with continued airstrikes and ground raids causing casualties and displacements on both sides. The international community closely monitors the developments in the region as efforts to de-escalate the conflict and protect civilian lives are urgently needed.