Israeli forces have ramped up military operations in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, targeting key military and militant infrastructures in an ongoing effort to meet their strategic objectives.
On Thursday evening, Israeli airstrikes rocked central Beirut, aiming at Wafiq Safa, the leader of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit.
Reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicate that the airstrikes have resulted in at least 22 fatalities and left over 117 individuals injured.
Eyewitness accounts describe a massive fire engulfing a building in the densely populated al-Noueiri district, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as crowds gathered, capturing the chaos on local broadcasts.
Additionally, Israeli warplanes conducted a series of 16 air raids in southern Lebanon and nine more in eastern regions throughout the day.
These assaults reportedly led to 21 more deaths and 41 injuries, with six Lebanese soldiers among those injured in a drone strike on a military checkpoint near the Hosh al-Sayyed Ali crossing, close to the Syrian border.
In a retaliatory move, Hezbollah announced that its fighters successfully targeted an Israeli tank with guided missiles in southern Lebanon, coinciding with an Israeli ground offensive that involved infantry support from multiple tanks in the area.
UNIFIL Reports Israeli Tank Fire Injures Two Peacekeepers In Naqoura
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that an Israeli tank fired on their watchtower in Naqoura, injuring two of its peacekeepers, which added to the international concern.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the incident, asserting that the tank fire was intentional and could potentially be classified as a war crime under international law.
Meanwhile, in response to these developments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that Hezbollah operates from civilian zones in southern Lebanon, including locations near UNIFIL positions, complicating the already tense situation.
On the southern front, Israeli forces executed a deadly airstrike on the Rafida School in central Gaza, where they claimed to target a command and control center linked to militant activities.
The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Palestinians and injured over 54 others.
The Israeli military emphasized that the strike was precise and aimed at militants located within the school’s compound.
As violence persists, clashes continue between Hamas and Israeli troops in Gaza.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, reported an ambush against an Israeli infantry unit near the Jabalia refugee camp, claiming significant casualties among the soldiers involved.
Israel confirmed the loss of three reserve troops due to an explosive device detonation during combat operations in northern Gaza.
The situation remains fluid and highly volatile, with both sides entrenched in their military operations as the humanitarian crisis deepens in the affected regions.
International calls for restraint and dialogue have intensified, highlighting the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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