Israeli strikes in northern Lebanon and Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with dozens of people killed, including many children. In Lebanon, the health ministry reported at least 23 people, including seven children, were killed in Almat near Byblos. In northern Gaza, the civil defence agency stated that at least 30 people died in Israeli strikes on two houses.
The first strike in Jabalia killed at least 25 people, including 13 children, with over 30 injured. An additional five people were killed in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood. In a separate incident, three medical workers were killed when an Israeli strike hit an Islamic Health Authority building in Adloun.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that Hezbollah had stored weapons at the targeted site in Lebanon and that the Jabalia strike targeted “terrorists.” They stated that steps were taken to mitigate civilian harm, including aerial surveillance and precise intelligence. However, the details of both incidents are still under review.
Israel has escalated its campaign against Hezbollah, expanding operations beyond southern Lebanon to cities and towns throughout the country. On Saturday, the IDF intercepted 70 Hezbollah rockets. Since the conflict escalation seven weeks ago, at least 3,189 people have been killed, 14,078 injured, and over 1.2 million displaced across Lebanon.
Eyewitnesses described the strikes as devastating. Hamza Alloush, a relative of victims, told Reuters that the house was “bombed over the residents’ heads without warning,” with survivors thrown onto trees and neighbours.
Another strike in Gaza City killed a welfare ministry official and seven family members. Israel is facing a US deadline to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza or risk potential military cooperation restrictions. The UN has previously described the situation in northern Gaza as the “darkest moment” of the war.
In a separate incident, Syrian authorities reported an Israeli air strike near Damascus that killed seven civilians, including women and children, with 20 others injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggested the strike targeted Hezbollah members.
Israel has rejected warnings of famine in northern Gaza, criticizing the Famine Review Committee’s assessment. The IDF claims to have increased aid efforts, including opening an additional crossing and delivering trucks of food, water, and medical aid.
Ceasefire efforts have stalled, with Qatar suspending mediation until Hamas and Israel show willingness to negotiate. The current conflict began after Hamas’ October 7th attack, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 43,600 deaths since the war’s start.
In Lebanon, Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah has eliminated most of the group’s leadership and caused widespread destruction in areas with a strong Hezbollah presence. Israeli authorities report more than 70 people have been killed by Hezbollah attacks in Israel and the occupied Golan Heights over the past year.
