Israel has ordered further evacuations and targeted a new location in northern Lebanon in an escalating conflict with Hezbollah, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 37 injuries. Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israel, prompting the Israeli military to order residents in 23 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate for safety. The U.S. expressed concern over Israeli attacks on U.N. peacekeeping positions and called for a diplomatic resolution.
The Lebanese health ministry reported damage to hospitals from Israeli airstrikes in Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, while Medecins Sans Frontieres had to close clinics due to heavy bombardments. The Israeli military claimed to have killed around 50 Hezbollah fighters and targeted dozens of weapons storage sites in Lebanon. UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, experienced attacks resulting in injuries and significant damage to their positions.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants, which began a year ago, has intensified with Israel bombing various locations in Lebanon and Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel. Approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced since the conflict began, resulting in a death toll of 2,255 according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that more Lebanese have been displaced in this conflict than during the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli offensive aims to secure the return of those who evacuated northern Israel due to Hezbollah rocket attacks.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com