An image captured in the Marjeyoun region of southern Lebanon depicts explosions above structures in the town of Khiam, occurring during Israeli airstrikes on October 31, 2024, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Tel Aviv: Seven individuals lost their lives in northern Israel on Thursday due to strikes from Hezbollah in Lebanon, which the Israeli military labeled the "deadliest cross-border" attacks since the current conflict began. Among the deceased were four foreign workers and three Israelis. Concurrently, Lebanese health officials reported that 24 people were killed in Lebanon as Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on social media, “Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah’s deadly attacks go unanswered.”
Multiple rocket assaults hit Israel, with strikes in Metula, the northernmost town, resulting in the deaths of four foreign workers and an Israeli farmer. Shortly thereafter, approximately 25 more rockets targeted an olive grove near Haifa, causing two additional deaths and injuries to two others.
Amid this escalation, U.S. diplomats are in the region urging cease-fires in both Lebanon and Gaza, seeking to reduce tensions as the Biden administration nears its conclusion and with U.S. elections approaching.
In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Beirut early Friday, the first in that area in nearly a week. The previous day, Israeli forces targeted Hezbollah weapon storage and command centers in Syria, asserting that these facilities were being used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces.
In northern Gaza, Israeli strikes hit one of the last operational hospitals, destroying crucial supplies provided by the UN and igniting a fire that injured four medical personnel. The Israeli military had previously raided this hospital, claiming it housed Hamas militants. Gaza's Health Ministry condemned the strikes and urged international protection for medical facilities.
Additionally, Israeli bulldozers reportedly damaged the office of the UN Relief and Works Agency in the West Bank, although the Israeli military denied responsibility. Recently, Israel passed a law barring UNRWA from operating within its borders, citing alleged ties between some staff and militant groups, particularly in relation to the October 7 attacks.