3 weeks ago
11
October 20, 2024 | 09:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel said it had struck Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, while officials in Gaza said they were still trying to recover bodies from the rubble after an Israeli strike that killed dozens.
At least 87 people were dead or missing following the airstrike on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza late on Saturday, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory said, one of the highest death tolls reported for months from a single attack. Israel said it was investigating reports of the incident.
It marked an intensification of Israel's offensives against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, days after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had raised hopes of an opening for ceasefire negotiations to end more than a year of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
With U.S. elections approaching, officials, diplomats, and other sources in the region say Israel is seeking through military operations to try to shield its borders and ensure its rivals cannot regroup.
Israel is also preparing to retaliate for an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month, though Washington has pressed it not to strike Iranian energy facilities or nuclear sites.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was the subject of an assassination attempt by "Iran's proxy Hezbollah" on Saturday when a drone was directed at his holiday home. In a call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the prime minister reiterated that Israel would make decisions based on its own interests, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.
Israel's government has rejected several attempts by the United States, its main ally and military backer, at brokering ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon.
EVACUATION ORDERS
In Gaza, the health ministry said rescue operations following the strike in Beit Lahiya were being hindered by communications problems and by ongoing Israeli military operations.
The strike came two weeks into a major assault around the town of Jabalia, just to the south of Beit Lahiya, where Israeli troops backed by tanks have been trying to root out remaining Hamas fighters.
Israel said the strike hit a Hamas target, questioning an earlier death toll of 73 released by the Hamas media office.
Over 5,000 Palestinians left Jabalia via designated routes, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on social media platform X.
Evacuation orders directing people south have fuelled fears among many Palestinians that the operation is intended to clear them out of the northern part of Gaza to help ensure Israeli control of the area after the war.
Israel has denied any such plans, saying it is trying to protect civilians and separate them from Hamas fighters.
The Israeli offensive, triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, has made most of Gaza's 2.3 million people homeless, caused widespread hunger, and destroyed hospitals and schools.
"Horrifying scenes unfolding in Gaza, amidst conflict, relentless Israeli strikes & an ever-worsening humanitarian crisis," U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland posted on X.
Israel's Alleged Plans to Attack Iran Revealed in Leaked US Intel Documents
2 jam lalu
The U.S. is investigating the leak of highly classified intelligence documents that allegedly describe Israel's intentions to retaliate against Iran.
Hezbollah Fires Rockets into Northern Israel as Israeli Strikes Pound Gaza
22 jam lalu
The Israeli military said Hezbollah had fired dozens of rockets and several drones into northern Israel on Saturday killing one person.
Hamas Likely to Name New Leader from Outside Gaza After Sinwar's Death
1 hari lalu
The Palestinian militant group Hamas will likely replace Yahya Sinwar with a new political leader based outside Gaza.
Yahya Sinwar: Hamas Leader's Killing Won't End War as Israel Seek Strategic Gains
1 hari lalu
The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on October 16 marked a major triumph for Israel.
Israel Stops Processing Key Commercial Food Imports to Gaza, Sources Say
1 hari lalu
The commercial system's apparent closure came as Israel launched a new military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza.
Israel and Its Iran-aligned Foes Vow More War after Hamas Leader's Death
1 hari lalu
Israel's arch-foe and the militants' main backer Iran also said Sinwar's death would only fuel "the spirit of resistance".
Netanyahu Faces Pressure to End Fighting in Gaza After Killing of Sinwar
1 hari lalu
Netanyahu himself described Sinwar's death as "the beginning of the end" to a conflict that has spread to Lebanon and Yemen.
Reasons for Arab Countries' Reluctance to Confront Israel Directly
2 hari lalu
The reasons behind Arab countries' reluctance to confront Israel are multifaceted, including complex political, economic, and diplomatic factors.
Hamas Leader Sinwar Killed in Gaza; Netanyahu Says War Will Go On
2 hari lalu
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, Israel said on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
Israeli Security Cabinet Told that Hamas Leader Sinwar Likely Dead, Two Officials Say
2 hari lalu
Members of Israel's security cabinet have been informed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is very likely dead, two officials said on Thursday.
