The conflict in the Middle East has escalated, with Israel widening its bombardment in Lebanon, targeting both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters. Thousands of people, including Palestinian refugees, continue to flee the region, as Israel targets Hezbollah commanders and military equipment. The Lebanese government states that at least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics, and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million displaced since the conflict began.
Israel’s military has confirmed the deaths of two senior officials with Hamas’ military wing in Lebanon, while Hamas said another military wing member was killed in Israeli strikes in the eastern Bekaa Valley. The Lebanese city of Beirut’s southern suburbs were hit with over a dozen airstrikes, sending plumes of smoke billowing through the sky.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has been fired rockets into Israel, accusing it of committing ‘genocide’ against Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict has displaced almost 90% of Gaza’s residents, with almost 42,000 Palestinians killed in the war.
Meanwhile, world leaders have condemned the conflict, with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi calling for a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his country’s right to defend itself and respond to attacks.
Shadows of Violence Darken the Lebanese Skies (Image via Getty)
The situation on the ground is dire, with nearly 375,000 people fleeing Lebanon into Syria and many more displaced within the country. Displaced families are now sheltering alongside Beirut’s famous seaside Corniche, their wind-flapped tents just steps from luxury homes.
The conflict has also taken a toll on civilians, with humanitarian organizations urging for an end to hostilities. The United Nations has reported that over 130,000 people have crossed into Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt to escape the conflict.
As the fighting continues, the world waits with bated breath for a resolution to the conflict, which has already left thousands dead and many more displaced. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with many facing a desperate struggle to survive.
