Gaza airstrike/ Hezbollah new leader/ Israeli-Palestinian conflict/ UNRWA restrictions/ Middle East tension/ Newslooks/ DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed at least 60 people, many of whom were women and children, as Hezbollah announced Sheikh Naim Kassem as its new leader. Meanwhile, Israel faces backlash over recent laws restricting UNRWA, the U.N. aid agency supporting Palestinian refugees. The region remains highly volatile as international concerns mount over the intensifying humanitarian crisis.
Key Developments in Israel-Gaza Conflict and Hezbollah Leadership: Quick Look
- Gaza Airstrike: Israeli airstrike on shelter kills at least 60 people in northern Gaza.
- Hezbollah Leadership Change: Sheikh Naim Kassem appointed as new leader after Nasrallah’s death.
- UNRWA Restrictions: Israeli legislation restricts UNRWA’s operations, raising humanitarian concerns.
- Healthcare Crisis: Gaza’s hospitals face severe shortages amid Israeli raids and ongoing strikes.
- Regional Tensions: Hezbollah rockets hit northern Israel as Israel’s Gaza offensive continues.
Israeli Strike in Northern Gaza Kills 60; Hezbollah Appoints New Leader
Deep Look
An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday targeted a five-story building in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya, killing at least 60 Palestinians, including women and children, who had been sheltering there, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in the region, which Israel says target Hamas militants but have resulted in significant civilian casualties. The ministry reported that another 17 people remain missing, adding to the already devastating toll on the population in Gaza.
Dr. Marwan al-Hams, a health official in Gaza, announced the casualty count and reported that hospitals are overwhelmed. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, described the “complete collapse” of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, noting that the hospital has been unable to treat incoming patients effectively due to widespread shortages. Over the weekend, Israeli forces reportedly detained dozens of medics at Kamal Adwan Hospital in one of several recent raids on medical facilities across Gaza.
The Israeli military has intensified its campaign in northern Gaza, specifically around the Jabaliya refugee camp. Although it describes these strikes as targeting Hamas strongholds, they have led to hundreds of civilian deaths and prompted mass evacuations. With aid already severely restricted, Israel’s latest restrictions on UNRWA, the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, may further exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. On Monday, Israel’s parliament enacted laws effectively barring UNRWA from operating on Israeli-controlled land, which includes Gaza and the West Bank. The legislation, part of Israel’s broader policy to limit aid that it says benefits Hamas, has drawn sharp criticism from international aid organizations, which rely heavily on UNRWA’s infrastructure to deliver essential services.
A UNICEF spokesperson warned that without UNRWA’s support, humanitarian aid to Gaza could all but disappear, restricting access to essentials like vaccines, hygiene kits, and emergency nutrition supplies.
Hezbollah Appoints New Leader Amid Escalating Conflict
In a parallel development, Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced Sheikh Naim Kassem as the successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month. Kassem, a founding member of Hezbollah who has served as Nasrallah’s deputy for over 30 years, was appointed by the group’s Shura Council. He has pledged to maintain Hezbollah’s stance against Israel, declaring that the group will continue “until victory is achieved.”
Following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel, which has retaliated with targeted strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. This escalation led to Israel’s recent ground invasion into Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of Nasrallah and several top Hezbollah officials. On Tuesday, Hezbollah launched additional rockets into northern Israel, where at least one civilian was killed in Maalot-Tarshiha, indicating that the conflict remains volatile and may spread further.
Ongoing Crisis in Gaza as Israel’s Offensive Continues
The strike in northern Gaza is part of Israel’s extended campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure. However, the sustained strikes on civilian shelters and infrastructure have led to widespread displacement, with more than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents now displaced. Many have been forced to flee multiple times, as even designated shelters, including U.N. schools and medical facilities, have been targeted in the conflict. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have increased their focus on the Jabaliya refugee camp, intensifying the humanitarian crisis as the campaign enters its second year.
International observers and aid organizations have expressed growing concerns over the humanitarian impact. James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, warned that Gaza’s aid network could collapse entirely if UNRWA is unable to operate, effectively halting the delivery of critical resources. Elder emphasized that many residents, including a large population of children, rely on UNRWA for essential services like healthcare, nutrition, and education.
Diplomatic Implications and Regional Tensions
The crisis has also intensified the already strained diplomatic ties between Israel and its regional neighbors. Hezbollah’s direct involvement, combined with sporadic exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran, has raised fears of a broader regional conflict. Iran, a known supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, has engaged Israel directly, further complicating peace efforts in the region.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, following a deadly Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and abducted roughly 250 people, the death toll on the Palestinian side has surged. Gaza’s Health Ministry now reports over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, including thousands of women and children. Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza, coupled with its new legislative restrictions on aid agencies, has led to mounting international pressure for de-escalation, particularly from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.
With Hamas militants still holding hostages and Israel committed to neutralizing what it considers ongoing threats from both Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the humanitarian and security challenges facing the region remain critical and complex. As the conflict enters a potentially decisive phase, the need for a sustainable solution that addresses both security concerns and humanitarian needs grows increasingly urgent.
