Israel Launches Deadly Strikes in Gaza and Lebanon as Calls Grow to End ‘Endless War
The recent escalation of violence in the Middle East has resulted in significant casualties and heightened tensions. Israeli strikes across southern Gaza killed at least 19 people overnight into Sunday, including a senior Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, and his wife ¹. The European and Kuwaiti hospitals in southern Gaza reported receiving 17 bodies from strikes over Saturday night into Sunday, including several women and children.
In Lebanon, Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on Saturday, its most intense aerial assault on the country in four months. The strikes killed six people, including a child, and injured 28 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The Lebanese army found and dismantled three “primitive rocket launchers” in south Lebanon after the rocket fire towards Israel.
The Israeli military spokesperson stated that the airstrikes targeted “attack command headquarters, terrorist operatives, missile launchers, and a weapons depot of the terrorist Hezbollah” ¹. However, Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket attacks and stressed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
The renewed violence has sparked international concern, with the UN peacekeeping force, Unifil, warning against further military escalation that could lead to the ceasefire being broken. The Lebanese prime minister, Nawaf Salam, urged the ministry of defence to ensure that the Lebanese state, rather than Hezbollah, decides whether Lebanon goes to war.
In Israel, thousands of protesters took to the streets, blocking key highways across the country in a demonstration against Netanyahu’s government. The protesters are calling for an end to the “endless war” and the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Forty freed hostages of Hamas captivity and 250 family members of Israeli soldiers and civilians still held in Gaza signed a letter calling on Netanyahu to halt Israel’s renewed military activities and return to the negotiating table. The letter warned that failure to do so would condemn the living hostages to death.
The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, has instructed the military to “seize more ground” in Gaza and threatened to annex part of the territory unless Hamas releases Israeli hostages still held in the devastated territory. Israeli officials have escalated their threats in recent days, calling on Palestinians in Gaza to overthrow Hamas or face the consequences.
The situation remains extremely fragile, with the potential for further escalation and violence. The international community is urging both sides to uphold their commitments and work towards a peaceful resolution.
