Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that sheer persistence of Israeli air strikes have compelled nearly one million people to leave their homes, which is one of the largest displacement events witnessed by this country in recent times. At a time when the country is experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis, the health ministry confirmed that over 50 people have been killed in the strikes on Sunday. The attacks occurred after Israel had murdered Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut two days ago. Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets into northern Israel.
Hezbollah also confirmed that its leading military commander, Ali Karaki, and senior cleric Sheikh Nabil Qaouk were killed in the Israeli air raids. As the violence escalated, Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said “more must be done” to strike at Hezbollah.
There was another incident,
which occurred way back on Monday morning; Israeli air strikes in the Kola neighborhood in Beirut killed three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, including a member who holds the rank of military security chief, Mohammad Abdel-Aal; a military commander, Imad Odeh; and a fighter, Abdel Rahman Abdel-Aal.
The cities in Lebanon,
From Beirut to the south border areas, are left devastated after series of air raids as residents face a lot of problems due to this disaster. According to local reports, hospitals and emergency services are finding it hard to manage the growing number of displaced people.
Those involved in the conflict live under terrible conditions. Aya Ayoub, 25, of Beirut’s southern suburb, said her quarter was completely destroyed. Her family and 16 others are accommodated in an incomplete residential building. In another testimony, journalist Sara Tohmaz, 34 years old, said she was made to leave Beirut, traveling for only 10 hours in Jordan with her family with whom they are staying with relatives.
Since the expansion of cross-border fighting began on October 8, days after the Hamas attack on Israel, hundreds of fighters and civilians on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel have been reported killed and tens of thousands displaced. Israeli Strikes Extend to Yemen Amid Houthi Tensions
The Israeli military also launched airstrikes on Houthi installations inside Yemen, targeting power plants and the Ras Isa port in response to the missile attacks launched by the Houthis recently. A massive explosion is visible at Hudaydah port in the video as emphasis on the intensity of the strikes. The Israeli military said the facilities were being used to transport weapons from Iran, which a statement from the Houthis denied.
The Houthis condemned the strikes as “brutal aggression,” reporting four deaths and 33 injuries. They have vowed retaliation, raising concern that the conflict will spread into the region.
As the war kept on intensifying, it cautioned Israel that other international powers, like the United States, to not widen the war in involving Hezbollah or Iran; fearing a larger fight in the Middle East. Washington said that such a war would bring out mass destabilization and could force Israelis in the north out of their homes permanently.
This continued conflict still continues to fuel fears of a more extensive regional war as the situation remains volatile.
