Tuesday , December 31 2024

Israel again carried out air attack in Beirut, more than 12 killed, 57 injured

Lebanon's health ministry said another 57 people were wounded in air strikes late Monday. The attack destroyed several buildings opposite the Rafik Hariri University Hospital outside South Beirut.

Attack on Hezbollah targets

The Israeli military said it attacked Hezbollah positions and did not target the hospital. The State Department said Blinken discussed ending the war in Gaza, freeing hostages held by Hamas and alleviating the suffering of Palestinian civilians.

Resolve to eliminate Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and free dozens of people held hostage by the group. Hamas says it will release the hostages only in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Hezbollah fired several rockets

Hezbollah fired several rockets into central Israel on Tuesday. So air raid sirens started sounding in the most densely populated areas of Israel. Israel's military said five rockets were fired into Israel from Lebanon and most of them were intercepted in mid-air by anti-missile systems. A rocket fell in an open area.

Israel has stepped up attacks in Lebanon targeting a financial institution run by Hezbollah and ceasefire talks have resumed in Gaza following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Hamas attack on Israel

On October 7 last year, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 250. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to local health officials. Much of Gaza has been devastated by the war, leaving about 90 percent of its population of 2.3 million homeless.