What's happened
On November 24, 2024, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, injuring several. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed over 40 Lebanese troops amid ongoing conflict. The situation complicates ceasefire efforts led by the U.S. and EU, with significant casualties reported on both sides.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the recent Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops, with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemning these actions as a rejection of ceasefire efforts. The Independent echoes this sentiment, highlighting the humanitarian toll with over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon. The New York Times reports on the ongoing military operations, noting that Israeli forces are intensifying their strikes against Hezbollah, which complicates diplomatic negotiations. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of the situation, emphasizing both the military actions and the dire humanitarian consequences.
How we got here
The conflict escalated following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah's involvement has intensified, leading to retaliatory strikes from Israel and significant casualties, including over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon and widespread displacement.
More on these topics
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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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Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. No recent population census has been conducted, but 2007 estimates ranged from slightly more than 1 million to 2.2 million as part of Greater Beirut, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant re
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Najib Azmi Mikati is a Lebanese politician and businessman who served as Prime Minister of Lebanon in 2005 and from 2011 to 2014.
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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.