Northern Gaza, where Israel said in January it had dismantled militant group Hamas’ command structure, is currently the focus of the Israeli military’s assault. Israel sent tanks into Beit Lahiya and the neighbouring towns of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia earlier this month to flush out Hamas militants who it said had regrouped in the area.
The Israeli assault has decimated the besieged strip, wiped out its infrastructure and killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian authorities say.
Israeli forces continue their assault on Lebanon
In a separate assault on Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, Israeli forces have bombarded parts of Beirut and areas of the south of the country, killing more than 2,700 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Israel’s decision this week to ban the UN relief agency UNRWA from operating on its territory could have a disastrous impact on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, UN officials said. Source: EPA / MOHAMMED SABER
Israel’s military and intelligence operations have decapitated the leadership of both Hamas and Hezbollah, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, one of Iran’s most important allies in the Middle East. Yet Israel’s wars show no signs of slowing.
US mediators are working on a proposal to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, starting with a 60-day ceasefire, two sources have said, but Israel pressed its offensive, ordering residents to evacuate Lebanon’s eastern city of Baalbek.
