What's happened
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, with significant airstrikes and rocket attacks leading to high civilian casualties. The situation has prompted international calls for a ceasefire, as fears grow of a broader regional conflict. Thousands are displaced, and the humanitarian crisis deepens amid ongoing violence.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Nesrine Malik in The Guardian, Israel's military actions in Lebanon are seen as a significant threat to regional stability, with the author arguing that Israel's justification for its actions is flawed. Malik highlights the high civilian toll, stating that '558 people in Lebanon' were killed in a single day of airstrikes. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post emphasizes the gravity of the situation, noting that 'the threat has rarely been clearer' as tit-for-tat attacks escalate. The Guardian's Lorenzo Tondo reports on Hezbollah's declaration of an 'open-ended battle,' indicating a shift towards more aggressive military engagement. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of the conflict and the urgent need for international intervention.
How we got here
The conflict escalated following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which led to Israel's military response in Gaza. Hezbollah's involvement has increased tensions, with both sides exchanging attacks. The situation has drawn international attention, with calls for de-escalation and humanitarian support.
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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Gaza may refer to:
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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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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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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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António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres GCC GCL is a Portuguese politician and diplomat who is serving as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees between 2005 and 2015.
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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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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.