According to a statement from the Israeli army, Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon during the course of the night. “The Israeli army is striking military targets of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah on Lebanese territory” .
There are growing concerns about tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas affiliate and pro-Iran force in Lebanon. Following skirmishes, Israeli officials started removing thousands of citizens from at least 28 areas across the Israel-Lebanon border.
According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US President Joe Biden will visit Israel tomorrow to express support for the Israeli people in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7. “@POTUS will visit Israel on Wednesday. He is arriving here at a crucial time for Israel, the neighbourhood, and the entire world, according to Mr. Blinken’s post on X.
As Israeli forces prepare a ground invasion against the Hamas-held region, Blinken said that the US also secured pledges from Israel to cooperate in sending foreign aid into the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip.
The danger of an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, according to a spokesperson for Hamas named Abu Obeideh, “does not scare us and we are ready for it.”
According to a televised announcement, since their devastating onslaught on southern Israel on October 7, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas have been keeping 200 individuals hostage, with an additional 50 being detained by other armed organisations in other places.
The Hamas assault on Israel via land, sea, and air resulted in more than 1,400 deaths. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as revenge have claimed the lives of nearly 2,750 civilians.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) issued a warning on Monday, stating that the Israeli siege of Gaza’s water supply is forcing residents to drink from tainted sources, which may spread disease.
In preparation for a ground invasion, the Israeli military has gathered armoured vehicles near Gaza. According to Israeli authorities, a “political decision” would be required before launching any ground operations against Gaza. Israel has deployed approximately 400,000 reserve personnel in anticipation of a possible attack, in addition to the combined strength of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, has been identified by Israel as the perpetrator of the assault on October 7. Lieutenant Richard Hecht, a spokesman for the Israeli military, described Sinwar as “a dead man walking.”
A hypothetical invasion would result in “a genocide of unprecedented proportions,” the Arab League and African Union have warned in stern tones about the terrible repercussions of a ground offensive.
