BEIRUT - In a recent escalation of tensions, an Israeli airstrike targeted and killed Wissam al-Tawil, an elite Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon. This comes amid an increasing exchange of strikes across the border, raising concerns about a potential Mideast war.
The strike on al-Tawil, a veteran of the 2006 cross-border kidnapping that triggered the last war between Israel and Hezbollah, follows heightened hostilities since the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut. U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken is attempting to prevent a wider conflict.
In Gaza, major Israeli operations in the north are said to be largely completed, with a focus now shifting to the central region and Khan Younis. The offensive, ongoing for three months, has resulted in over 23,000 Palestinian casualties, extensive devastation, and mass displacement.
As fighting intensifies, Gaza's hospitals face overwhelming conditions. Medics and patients fled a central hospital, and aid groups withdrew due to the danger.
Only 13 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functional. UNICEF warns that 90% of Gaza's children under 2 are consuming only bread and milk, emphasizing the urgent need to address the looming threat of famine.
In northern Gaza, cut off by Israeli forces since late October, dire conditions persist with demolished neighborhoods and shortages of food and water. The WHO struggles to deliver supplies due to ongoing bombardment. The death toll in Gaza, with over 23,000 Palestinians killed, includes a significant number of women and children.
Blinken's recent efforts focus on preventing the conflict from spreading. While Israel and Hezbollah have sought to limit cross-border exchanges, the killing of Hamas' deputy political leader in Beirut raises concerns of an escalating spiral. Israel expresses impatience with Hezbollah rocket fire, potentially leading to a wider war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to restore security to the north, emphasizing a preference for resolution without a broader campaign. The situation remains complex, with the risk of further escalation and the toll on civilians in the spotlight.