Latest developments in the Middle East: Major air strikes were launched on Beirut suburbs as Israel expands its operations in northern Gaza

A lot Major air strikes launched on Beirut’s southern suburbs Early Thursday, including one in an area adjacent to Lebanon’s only international airport. The Israeli army issued an evacuation notice, saying there were Hezbollah facilities in the area, without providing further details.

Also on Thursday, the Israeli army announced that it had expanded its area of ​​operations. monthly ground operation In northern Gaza lies part of the town of Beit Lahiya, which has been subject to heavy bombardment since the early days of the war, where Israel says Hamas militants have regrouped.

Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said in a speech published Wednesday that the Lebanese militant group was open to ceasefire talks only if “the enemy stops its aggression.” His speech marked a 40-day mourning period since then. Former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah He was assassinated in Beirut.

Hezbollah began firing on Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict began More than 3,000 people were killed Approximately 13,600 people were injured in Lebanon, the Ministry of Health reported.

Israel-Hamas war then it started Palestinian militants attacked Israel The killing of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, on October 7, 2023, and He kidnapped 250 more people. Palestinian health officials say Israel’s military intervention in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people. They do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children.

___

Here is the latest situation:

Israel expands ground operation in northern Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israeli army expanded its coverage monthly ground operation To a town in the north of Gaza that has been subjected to heavy bombardment since the first days of the war.

The army said on Thursday that “units have become active” in the Beit Lahiya area after intelligence showed the presence of militants there. Hamas has repeatedly reorganized in areas where the army was already conducting major operations.

The town in Gaza’s northwestern corner was among the first targets of the ground offensive launched a year ago following Hamas’ offensive into southern Israel. Since then, the northern third of the region has been surrounded by Israeli forces.

In early October, Israel launched another major offensive on nearby Jabaliya, a decades-old urban refugee camp. He sharply restricted the amount of aid entering northern Gaza and ordered a complete evacuation. Tens of thousands fled to nearby Gaza city in the last mass displacement fight.

Air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs; one of which was the field adjacent to the airport

BEIRUT — Several major airstrikes were carried out on Beirut’s southern suburbs early Thursday; one of them was built in the area next to Lebanon’s only international airport.

The Israeli army had previously issued an evacuation notice without providing further details, saying there were Hezbollah facilities in the area.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Beirut airport was not directly targeted in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, and the national airline, Middle East Airlines, continued its commercial flights.

___

For more Middle East news: