Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, launched numerous rockets at Israel in retaliation for the targeted killing of a Hamas leader in Beirut. This heightened tensions in the region, with Hezbollah stating that it aimed 62 missiles at an Israeli air surveillance base in northern Israel as an initial response to the suspected Israeli strike that killed senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri. The Israeli military reported around 40 rockets fired from Lebanon at its territory.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hasan Nasrallah, vowed that the killing of al-Arouri would not go unanswered. In response to the rocket attacks, Israel conducted a drone strike targeting the group responsible for launching rockets towards the Metula area.
This escalation occurred as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East for diplomatic discussions amid the three-month Israel-Hamas conflict. Blinken sought Turkish involvement in reconstruction efforts and a potential multinational force to operate in the region. He met with Turkish officials, emphasizing the importance of Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership and addressing Ankara’s concerns over Israel’s actions in the conflict.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, present in Lebanon, cautioned against the Israel-Hamas conflict escalating into a wider regional confrontation.
Regarding the conflict’s toll, Hamas initiated a surprise attack on Israel in October, resulting in casualties and hostages. Israel responded with airstrikes on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, causing numerous deaths and injuries, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, expressed grave concern about the dire situation in Gaza, citing its near unlivable conditions for its 2.3 million residents and warning of a unfolding public health disaster.
