Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Gaza and engaged in clashes with Hamas militants on Friday, amidst stalled truce negotiations and heightened tensions along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Reports from witnesses indicated strikes in Rafah in southern Gaza and central areas of the strip, including near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital where mourners gathered over the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy during bombardments.
Meanwhile, in response to Hamas mortar fire near Tal al-Sultan, Israeli troops continued operations in central Gaza, conducting airstrikes targeting militant positions in the Zeitun area.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israeli sources reporting civilian deaths and hostage situations. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have led to substantial casualties in Gaza, primarily among civilians.
Simultaneously, tensions flared on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon as Hezbollah fighters launched rockets, missiles, and drones targeting Israeli military sites. The Hezbollah offensive, reportedly in retaliation for the killing of one of its commanders by Israel, has prompted Israeli retaliatory strikes across the border.
The escalating violence has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, engaging in diplomatic efforts to mitigate tensions.
Blinken, during a recent Middle East visit, emphasized the need for a Gaza ceasefire as a crucial step towards stabilizing the region and addressing the Hezbollah-Israel hostilities.
Efforts to broker a truce have been complicated by Hamas’ insistence on Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, terms Israel has thus far rejected.
As the conflict intensifies, humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Program and the World Health Organization have highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, with reports of acute malnutrition among children and severe challenges in delivering aid amid active conflict zones.
Amidst international calls for humanitarian access and ceasefire, the situation remains volatile, impacting civilian populations on both sides of the conflict as Muslim communities prepare for Eid al-Adha.
