An Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people in an apartment building in the village of Aito, a Christian area far from Hezbollah strongholds. The strike came after a Hezbollah drone attack in Israel killed four soldiers, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has been launching rockets and drones into Israel, causing casualties, while Israel’s strikes have killed thousands in Lebanon, with most deaths occurring in the past month. Israel’s campaign is aimed at stopping Hezbollah attacks for the safety of Israelis near the Lebanese border.
In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on a hospital courtyard killed four people and triggered a fire that spread through a tent camp for displaced people. The Israeli military said the strike targeted militants hiding among civilians, a claim that has been made in previous strikes on shelters and camps. The hospital, already treating many wounded from previous strikes, struggled to cope with the additional casualties. The war in Gaza began with Hamas attacks in southern Israel, leading to a brutal retaliatory offensive by Israel that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the majority of Gaza’s population.
Israel has ordered the remaining population of northern Gaza to evacuate to the south, cutting off food supplies to the area. Rights groups fear that Israel’s plan to label anyone remaining in the north as a combatant could lead to a surrender-or-starve situation, a strategy that violates international law. Although the military denies receiving such orders, rights groups urge the international community to prevent Israel from implementing this plan, warning against the crimes of starvation and forcible transfer. Trucks carrying flour and food were allowed into north Gaza, but the situation remains precarious for those still in the north.
The Israeli military continues its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, with both sides inflicting heavy casualties on civilians. Lebanon has seen a significant number of deaths from Israeli airstrikes, while Gaza has been devastated by Israel’s offensive, leaving large areas destroyed and the majority of the population displaced. The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of access to food and humanitarian aid in Gaza, with fears of forced transfers and starvation looming. International pressure is needed to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
