As of Nov 11, 2024, Israeli air raids in northern Lebanon and Gaza Strip kill dozens of civilians, among them children. Almat town near the city of Byblos – at least 23 dead, seven of whom were children – according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry; rescue workers search through the wreckage for survivors.
At least 30 were killed, including 13 children, in an Israeli airstrike that hit a house in the densely populated district of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian news agency Wafa and local civil defense reported.
Dr. Fadel Naim, the head of Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City, said 17 bodies have been received so far, and the death toll is likely to increase. According to the eye-witnesses, the attack was described as an “earthquake.” One of the survivors claimed, “These are innocent citizens who do not belong to any military organization or faction.”
Israeli Defense Forces responded that they hit a Jabalia site where “terrorists were operating” while making concerted efforts to reduce civilian casualties. However it has still not responded to the strike in Lebanon, where the conflict against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group, has gained momentum.
Israeli attacks are now reaching northern and eastern parts of south Lebanon, which have resulted in civilian areas and heavy displacement. More than 3,002 people are reported killed, and over 1.2 million have been displaced across Lebanon since the war heightened seven weeks ago.
Regional tensions and aid concerns with Lebanon and Syria moving 4,000 troops into the country to be stationed between Israeli border towns and many others lined up against the border.
Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported an Israeli air strike on an apartment building in a district of a suburb of Damascus that was reportedly targeting Hezbollah personnel and killing people. The Israel Defense Forces did not confirm this particular strike, but it recently hinted that it had acted against Hezbollah intelligence assets in the area.
In Gaza, international relief organizations report that the humanitarian situation will deteriorate given low supplies of food and water. Northern Gaza is at high risk of famine unless the situation is treated with urgency, warns the UN, as well as independent food security analysts.
Israel has responded with increased aid deliveries into southern Gaza and opening several more border crossings to speed deliveries. The country disputes claims about potential famine, saying data is skewed.
Ceasefire Efforts and Diplomatic Challenges: Ceasefire efforts are still stalled, with Qatar stopping its mediation role, saying both Hamas and Israel have lacked a desire to enter negotiations. Since October 7 when hostilities broke out after a Hamas-led attack on Israel with over 1,200 Israelis killed and the capture of 251 hostages, the health ministry in Gaza states that over 43,600 people have died, with many still buried under rubble.
This conflict has features of escalating violence and severe humanitarian concern; hence, it is among the emergencies that continue to draw urgent appeals for international intervention.
