Israel Launches Airstrikes on Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Rocket Attacks
Israel’s air force carried out dozens of airstrikes early Monday on southern Lebanon, targeting sites linked to the Hezbollah militant group, according to both the Israeli military and state media reports. Residents of various villages in southern Lebanon shared images on social media depicting their towns under attack. The state-run National News Agency also confirmed airstrikes in multiple areas.
This wave of airstrikes follows a tense Sunday during which Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets into northern Israel, some landing near the city of Haifa. Israel responded with hundreds of its own airstrikes.
Hezbollah’s barrage of rockets came in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb on Friday that killed a high-ranking Hezbollah military commander and over a dozen other Hezbollah members, along with dozens of civilians, including women and children.
Last week, thousands of communication devices, primarily used by Hezbollah members, exploded across Lebanon, resulting in 39 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries. While Lebanon blamed Israel for these attacks, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
Australia Increases Aid to Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis
In a separate development, Australia announced it will provide an additional 10 million Australian dollars ($6.8 million) in humanitarian aid to Gaza, bringing its total contribution since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2022 to AU$82.5 million ($56.2 million). The new funding will focus on supporting women and children, channeled through the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF.
“Australia continues to push for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need, and for all aid workers to be protected,” stated a government press release.
Gaza’s Displaced Residents Face Flooding as Winter Approaches
Meanwhile, in the Muwasi tent camp in Gaza, displaced Palestinians are struggling to cope with flooding as the first rains of the rainy season hit the region. The flooding is further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, as families try to protect their belongings and shelter from the downpour.
“We woke up in the morning to find the tents with rainwater pouring on us, and water from the streets entering on us,” said Rana Goza’t, a displaced person from Gaza City. “This is the beginning of winter. What will happen in the coming days?”
The nearly yearlong war between Israel and Hamas has displaced 90% of Palestinians in Gaza, according to the United Nations.
Israel Aims to Facilitate Return of Displaced Israelis
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared that recent attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon are a step toward facilitating the return of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north of the country.
Speaking on Sunday evening after a visit to the military’s Northern Command headquarters, Gallant characterized the recent airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut as “significant, important and powerful.” He stated that Israel will take all necessary measures to ensure “the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes.”
Israeli attacks since Friday have resulted in numerous casualties in Lebanon, including a veteran Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah retaliated with over 100 missile attacks in northern Israel early Sunday, prompting hundreds of thousands of Israelis to seek refuge in air raid shelters.
Gallant asserted: “The past week has been the most difficult in the history of Hezbollah’s existence — especially over the past day.”