Israel Intensifies Offensive in Gaza, Lebanon, UN Peacekeepers Targeted
Airstrikes in northern Gaza have intensified, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians Saturday, residents reported. Israel has issued warnings to civilians in both northern Gaza and southern Lebanon to evacuate, citing impending offensives against Hamas and Hezbollah, The Associated Press reports.
In northern Gaza, residents described the heavy Israeli bombardment and warned of growing hunger, with no aid reaching the area since the beginning of October. The UN World Food Program confirmed that no food aid has entered the region, leaving an estimated 400,000 people without supplies.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping force reported that its headquarters in Naqoura was hit again, with a peacekeeper suffering a gunshot wound on Friday night. While the peacekeeper is in stable condition, it remains unclear who fired the shots. The attack comes a day after Israeli forces fired on the headquarters for the second consecutive day. Israel, which has previously warned peacekeepers to evacuate their positions, has not yet responded to inquiries.
The escalation in Lebanon follows Israel’s intensified air and ground campaign against Hezbollah, with fears growing over the potential for disruption of Lebanon’s ports and airport. UN official Carl Skau expressed concern about this possibility, noting the displacement of over 1 million people.
Israel reported that Hezbollah launched more than 300 projectiles on Yom Kippur, the holiest Jewish holiday, and that they killed 50 militants in Lebanon. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed a series of rocket strikes on Israeli military positions and reported engagement with an Israeli infantry unit attempting to enter Lebanese territory.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Nine people were killed in Maisra village, four in an apartment building near Barja, and hospitals in Rayak, Tal Chiha, and Nabatieh suffered damage.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reports a total of 2,255 killed in Lebanon throughout the conflict with Israel, with over 1,400 deaths occurring since mid-September.
