Gaza conflict escalation/ Israel Lebanon strikes/ Gaza food crisis/ Hezbollah conflict/ UN peacekeepers Lebanon/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel intensified its offensive in Gaza and southern Lebanon, with heavy airstrikes continuing against Hamas and Hezbollah. Northern Gaza residents face severe shortages as UN food aid remains blocked, and UN peacekeepers in Lebanon report additional attacks on their headquarters.
Conflict in Gaza and Lebanon Worsens Amid Escalated Bombardment Quick Looks
- Intense Strikes: Israel intensifies airstrikes on northern Gaza and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
- UN Peacekeepers Targeted: UN personnel in Lebanon injured amid escalating strikes near Naqoura headquarters.
- Food Aid Blocked: No aid has reached northern Gaza since October 1, leading to worsening food scarcity.
- Evacuation Orders: Israel renews orders for northern Gaza and southern Lebanon residents to evacuate.
Israeli Bombardment Intensifies in Gaza & Lebanon; UN Peacekeepers Struck
Deep Look
Amid intensifying violence, residents of northern Gaza reported relentless Israeli bombardment early Saturday, hours after airstrikes reportedly killed at least 22 people. Israel has instructed civilians in the region and in southern Lebanon to vacate in advance of expanded operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, heightening the humanitarian crisis in both areas.
In Lebanon, UN peacekeepers stationed near Naqoura reported their headquarters had been hit again on Friday. A peacekeeper sustained injuries from gunfire, and while the source of the attack remains unclear, it follows two consecutive days of Israeli strikes on the headquarters. Israel, which previously advised UN peacekeepers to relocate, has not commented on this latest incident.
Escalating Crisis in Gaza
Northern Gaza residents face a critical shortage of food and essential supplies. According to the UN World Food Program, no food aid has been delivered since October 1, leaving approximately 400,000 people without basic sustenance. With supply lines cut, residents have resorted to rationing their remaining food supplies, and shelters have reported running out of stock.
The situation in Gaza further deteriorated on Saturday morning, following intensified airstrikes in Jabaliya, a dense neighborhood in northern Gaza, where civilians were trapped amid rising casualties. A recent airstrike there left a 65-foot crater where a residential building once stood, with emergency responders unable to access the area to retrieve bodies or treat the injured. Among the dead were two brothers, and rescue workers have reported bodies lying in the streets, unreachable due to continuous bombardment.
Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza follows Hamas’s assault on October 7, in which Hamas militants breached Israeli defenses, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and 250 individuals being taken hostage. The subsequent escalation has caused widespread destruction across Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of its population, or over 2 million people.
One resident, Ahmed Abu Goneim, described the situation as reminiscent of the early days of the conflict. “The occupation is doing everything to uproot us, but we will not leave,” he stated. Abu Goneim recounted the losses of 15 relatives and neighbors over the past week, with many killed in their own homes. Another resident, Hamza Sharif, currently sheltering with his family in a converted school, described the bombing as constant, with food and other basic supplies running dangerously low.
The UN’s independent investigator on food rights recently condemned Israel’s approach as a “starvation campaign,” which Israel has denied, asserting that it has not blocked food or humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Heightened Tensions in Lebanon
Meanwhile, the conflict’s spillover into Lebanon has worsened, as Israel continues targeted strikes against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike in the Zarout area south of Beirut killed four individuals and injured 14 others. Hezbollah, meanwhile, continues to launch rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory.
Iran, a significant supporter of Hezbollah, reaffirmed its commitment to backing both Lebanese and Palestinian populations against Israeli attacks. On Saturday, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, visited the site of a recent Israeli airstrike in Beirut, pledging Iran’s continued support amid mounting hostilities.
The intensifying violence has raised international concerns about the escalating humanitarian impact. Since the start of Israel’s latest offensive, over 42,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, with health officials indicating that children and women represent a significant portion of the fatalities. The latest airstrikes on Gaza’s densely populated areas continue to strain emergency response capabilities and underscore the growing toll on civilians across the conflict regions.
