Hezbollah launched over 50 rockets at private homes in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights following an Israeli strike in Lebanon, escalating tensions in the region. The attack comes as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas intensify, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with mediators from Egypt and Qatar. Blinken hinted at a possible “bridging deal” with Israel, but Egyptian officials expressed skepticism that Hamas would agree to it without guarantees of a permanent ceasefire.
The proposed ceasefire deal involves Hamas releasing Israeli civilian hostages abducted during attacks on October 7, in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas is reluctant to accept a proposal that only offers promises, not guarantees, of a negotiated permanent ceasefire. The deal also does not clearly specify Israel’s withdrawal from strategic corridors in Gaza, further complicating the negotiations.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Hamas militants killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during the initial attacks in October. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war has caused widespread destruction and displacement, with the majority of Gaza’s residents forced to flee their homes multiple times. The situation remains volatile, with fears of a wider regional war looming as targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Iran and Lebanon fuel tensions.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
