What's happened
As of September 30, 2024, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have intensified, resulting in over 105 deaths and significant destruction. The strikes, targeting Hezbollah, have led to widespread panic and displacement, with thousands fleeing southern Lebanon towards Beirut. The situation remains critical as military actions continue across the region.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 105 people in Lebanon, with significant civilian casualties, including women and children. Al Jazeera highlights that over 558 Lebanese have died since the strikes began, marking the most intense military action since the Lebanese Civil War. The Independent also notes that the strikes have led to widespread panic and displacement, with thousands fleeing towards Beirut. This escalation raises concerns about a potential ground invasion, as Israeli officials have not ruled out further military actions.
How we got here
The conflict escalated following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel has since targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon, claiming to strike military sites, while civilian casualties have surged, raising international concerns about the humanitarian impact.
More on these topics
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Yoav Galant is an Israeli politician and former commander of the Southern Command in the Israel Defense Forces. In January 2015, he entered politics, joining the new Kulanu party.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Hassan Nasrallah is the third and current Secretary General of the Lebanese political and paramilitary party Hezbollah since his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, was assassinated by the Israel Defense Forces in February 1992.