Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza amid US truce efforts

Israel launched intense bombardments on the Gaza Strip and southern Beirut on Friday, following unsuccessful diplomatic efforts by U.S. envoys to halt ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Overnight, Israeli airstrikes in the central Gaza Strip resulted in 47 Palestinian deaths and numerous injuries, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted and killed armed militants in central Gaza and Jabalia.

In addition to Gaza, Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs with at least ten airstrikes, marking the first attacks on the area in nearly a week. These strikes came just after Israel issued evacuation orders for ten neighborhoods in both Lebanon and Gaza. The military campaign persisted despite Washington’s attempts to broker ceasefires ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election next week.

During a speech to graduating troops on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that “agreements, documents, proposals are not the main point.” He asserted that the priority is Israel’s ability to ensure security and combat threats. His administration communicated this sentiment to U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk earlier in the day.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized Israel’s actions, describing them as stubbornness and a refusal to accept proposed solutions. Concurrently, Israeli strikes targeted Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, a region known for its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, resulting in visible damage.

Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants that killed around 1,200 Israelis. Israeli counteroffensives have reportedly led to over 43,000 Palestinian deaths and significant destruction in Gaza, while approximately 2,800 have died in Lebanon.

In Metula, an Israeli farmer and four Thai workers lost their lives due to a Hezbollah rocket attack, with additional casualties reported from shrapnel incidents near Kiryat Ata. Hezbollah claims its operations focus on military targets.

Despite renewed U.S. efforts for a ceasefire, the continued violence highlights the stagnation in achieving peace. Local residents in Beirut expressed frustration over the brutality of the conflict, calling for limits on Israeli military actions and urging a recognition of human rights and morality.