What's happened
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have intensified, resulting in significant civilian casualties, including a deadly attack on a residential building near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, killing at least 18 people. The strikes, aimed at Hezbollah targets, have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis and the safety of displaced families in traditionally safe areas.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Sarah El Deeb from The Independent, the recent airstrikes have resulted in devastating civilian casualties, with entire families being killed in their homes. The Israeli military claims to target Hezbollah, but the high civilian toll raises serious humanitarian concerns. The New York Times highlights the chaos and panic among residents following strikes near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, emphasizing the lack of warning before attacks. The Guardian reports on the emotional toll on families searching for missing loved ones amidst the rubble, illustrating the human cost of the conflict. These perspectives underscore the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the escalating crisis.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack. Israel's military response has included daily airstrikes targeting Hezbollah, leading to a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with over 2,400 casualties reported.
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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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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Gaza may refer to: