What's happened
As tensions rise between Hezbollah and Israel, both sides prepare for potential conflict. Hezbollah's Naim Qassem warns of severe consequences if Israel escalates its military operations, while Israel's Netanyahu signals a focus on the northern border after operations in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen amid ongoing violence.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Hezbollah's Naim Qassem emphasized that while the group does not intend to escalate the conflict, they will respond to any Israeli aggression, warning of significant losses on both sides. Meanwhile, The Independent reported that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with over 90% of the population displaced and the economy in free fall. The UNCTAD has described Gaza's economy as 'in ruins' and called for international intervention to address the crisis. The Japan Times highlighted the immense pressure on the Palestinian Authority, which is struggling to maintain governance amid the ongoing violence.
How we got here
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified following Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began in response to Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. This has led to near-daily exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.
More on these topics
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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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Gaza may refer to:
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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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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.