Israeli Attack
On Monday, a devastating Israeli airstrike near the Hariri Hospital in Beirut resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, including four children, and left 60 others injured, as reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The director of the hospital, Jihad Saadeh, stated that the attack caused significant damage to the medical facility due to debris from heavy ammunition, although fortunately, no hospital staff were reported among the casualties.
Rescue operations were still underway in front of the hospital as the situation unfolded.
Death toll from Israeli attack on Beirut's Rafik Hariri University Hospital rises to at least 13, with 57 others wounded – Lebanese health ministry pic.twitter.com/sLKVCE7KOW
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In a related development, Palestinian authorities accused Israel of employing starvation tactics against civilians, particularly children, by withholding food, baby formula, and nutritional supplements.
The Gaza government media office claimed that since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, over 250,000 aid trucks have been prevented from reaching those in need.
They denounced this as a crime against humanity, emphasizing the international community’s silence in the face of such actions.
The human toll of the conflict has been staggering, with at least 1,552 fatalities reported in Lebanon since September 23.
The intense Israeli air campaign has escalated significantly, with military sources indicating that approximately 750 Israeli soldiers have also died since the conflict reignited on October 7.
Amid these tragedies, a Lebanese hospital refuted Israeli claims that it was harboring funds for Hezbollah, calling the allegations “shocking” and asserting its neutrality and lack of affiliations. The hospital director invited independent verification of the hospital’s status and operations.
In southern Lebanon, clashes continued as Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli military positions, reporting injuries among Israeli soldiers.
The group reiterated its stance against negotiations while hostilities were ongoing and acknowledged that some of its fighters had been captured by Israeli forces.
In the broader regional context, Yemen’s Houthis announced they had targeted an Israeli military base in Tel Aviv in solidarity with Hezbollah and Hamas.
The military actions have also drawn attention from international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which expressed grave concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian access restrictions in Gaza, where the death toll has reportedly surpassed 42,700, according to the local health ministry.
The conflict’s ramifications extend beyond immediate casualties, with reports indicating that the war has severely impacted Gaza’s economy, pushing development levels back to the 1950s and leaving nearly the entire population in poverty.
The UN Development Program highlighted that unemployment in the region has surged to approximately 80%. As the violence continues, humanitarian efforts face unprecedented challenges, with civilians suffering from a lack of food, water, and medical care.
As tensions escalate, international diplomacy remains critical, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting the region to negotiate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis, while the Arab League is convening an emergency meeting to discuss actions to stop the ongoing violence against Palestinians.
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