The Israeli military has issued a warning to civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate areas close to buildings used by Hezbollah, as they begin extensive strikes against the militant group. These new airstrikes come after a weekend of intense rocket exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, with some rockets hitting near the Israeli city of Haifa.
According to Israel’s defense minister, the operations will continue until residents can safely return to the evacuated areas near the northern border with Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has stated that they will continue to fight until a ceasefire is secured in Gaza.
In Gaza, Hamas-run Health Ministry reported that at least 40 people were killed in Israeli strikes over the weekend, with targets including the Jabalia refugee camp and various locations in Gaza city.
On Sunday, the Israeli army conducted a raid and closed the bureau of media network Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank. The Qatari broadcaster aired footage of heavily armed and masked troops entering their premises in Ramallah, with Israel ordering a 45-day shutdown. This comes four months after Israel closed the channel’s offices in East Jerusalem. The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories has condemned the raid, stating that it signifies a departure from democratic values.
The escalation of violence in the region is a cause for concern, with both sides continuing to engage in hostilities. The situation remains volatile, with civilians in southern Lebanon urged to heed the warning and evacuate to safer areas.
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