Friday , October 4 2024

Israeli expands strikes on Beirut as attacks kill hundreds

01-10-2024

BEIRUT: Israel has bombed the Kola area of Beirut in its first attack on the Lebanese capital outside of the southern suburbs since the beginning of its expanded offensive.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed 105 people in the last 24 hours as army jets continue nonstop bombardment across the country.

Israeli troops, along with military equipment and vehicles, are reportedly amassing near Lebanon’s border as fears grow about a potential ground invasion.

Israel has also continued its attacks across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 28 people in the last day.

The Israeli Air Force has targeted a power plant and seaport in the Yemeni port cities of Hodeidah and Ras Isa, killing at least four people.

In Gaza, at least 41,595 people have been killed and 96,251 wounded in Israeli attacks since October. In Israel, the number killed in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 is at least 1,139, while more than 200 people were taken captive.

Hezbollah had been severely affected by Israel’s assault on Lebanon even before the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike on a residential block and underground bunker on Friday.

The group’s military leadership has been almost eliminated and it is facing one of the most intensive bombing campaigns in its history.

In Lebanon, many Hezbollah supporters are mourning the loss of Nasrallah, a figure they saw as a protector. They are seeking more than symbolic retaliation, but Hezbollah will need time to regroup and carefully plan its next steps amid escalating Israeli attacks.

Opposition politician Gideon Saar has joined the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Saar, who is 57, will become a minister without a portfolio and join the Security Cabinet, which is overseeing Israel’s ongoing wars.

The move expands Netanyahu’s governing coalition and is likely to strengthen his political position.

Saar’s party has four seats and will give Netanyahu a majority of 68 in the 120-seat parliament.

“We will work together, shoulder to shoulder, and I intend to seek his [Saar’s] assistance in the forums that influence the conduct of the war,” Netanyahu said.

Saar is seen as further to the right than Netanyahu ideologically and is opposed to Palestinian statehood on security grounds.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine armed group named the three men as:

Muhammad Abdel Aal, also known as Abu Ghazi, a member of the PFLP’s political bureau and the head of its military security department.

Imad Odeh, also known as Abu Ziad, a member of the PFLP’s military department and a military commander in Lebanon.

Abdul Rahman Abdel Aal, who it described only as a “comrade martyr hero”.

On Sunday evening, Israel hit the Kola area of Beirut in the first attack outside the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs since it began its bombing campaign last Monday. No official death toll for the attack has been announced so far.

The Israeli military bombed the Abu Jaafar School sheltering displaced people in Beit Lahiya’s al-Sultan neighbourhood in northern Gaza, the Wafa news agency is reporting. At least two people have been killed and others injured.

We will bring you more information on this attack when we have it. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)

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