An Israeli airstrike in Younine, Lebanon, killed 23 Syrian refugees after it destroyed a building housing workers, as reported by Lebanon’s state-run news agency. The attack also left four Syrians and four Lebanese wounded. The incident is part of an escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the latter launching dozens of rockets into Israel.
The violence has been intensifying, and Israel’s military chief has announced preparations for a potential ground operation in Lebanon. In response to the growing tensions, the United States, France, and other allies have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations. Concerns are rising that the situation could spiral into a full-scale war after 11 months of cross-border exchanges.
The Lebanese health minister reported that Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone claimed the lives of over 72 people, bringing the death toll in Lebanon to more than 630 since Monday. Thousands have been wounded in the conflict, and many in southern Lebanon are seeking refuge to escape the ongoing airstrikes.
The United Nations stated that more than 90,000 people have been displaced by the recent Israeli strikes, adding to the 200,000 total displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel. Hezbollah’s attacks are in support of Hamas, which initiated the Israel-Hamas war by crossing into Israeli territory. The situation has created a growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
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