Latest Update: Israel Issues More Evacuations in Northern Lebanon, Third Peacekeeper Wounded
By Amina Ismail and Ahmed Tolba
The tension in the Middle East continues to escalate as Israel has ordered more evacuations and targeted a new location in northern Lebanon. Amidst the escalating conflict, a third U.N. peacekeeper was wounded in the region.
Reports indicate that at least five people were killed and 15 wounded in Israeli strikes across three different areas in Lebanon. One of the targeted locations was the town of Deir Billa in northern Lebanon, which had not been struck before.
Furthermore, Israel’s military has directed residents of 23 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate to areas north of the Awali River. The military statement cited the necessity of evacuations for the safety of residents due to increased Hezbollah activities in the region.
Hezbollah denies concealing weapons among civilians, while the conflict between Israel and the group has been escalating over the past month. The recent intensified attacks have displaced approximately 1.2 million people since September 23, according to the Lebanese government.
As of Friday, the death toll had reached 2,255 since the beginning of hostilities, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that more Lebanese have now been displaced than during the last major war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.