UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis described widespread panic in Lebanon following evacuation orders before intense blasts hit. Residents like Wafaa Ezeldinne and Ranim Halawani fled their homes in fear, only to return later. Al-Qard Al-Hassan (AQAH), under US sanctions since 2007, was targeted by Israeli airstrikes. The bank, accused of being used by Hezbollah for financial activities, has branches across Lebanon, some connected to residential buildings. The strikes mark an escalation in Israel’s war against Hezbollah beyond military sites. Israeli soldiers also launched ground raids in southern Lebanon, dismantling weapons and killing Hezbollah members. Lebanon has seen 2,464 deaths since tensions escalated last year, with 1.2 million displaced. Lebanese PM Najib Mikati believes diplomacy is the only solution but has not had direct contact with Hezbollah recently.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued a deadly offensive in northern Gaza, with dozens killed in airstrikes in Beit Lahia and Jabalia camp. The IDF has killed militants and dismantled infrastructure and tunnels in Jabalia, operating across southern and central Gaza. The UN has criticized Israel for making life ‘impossible’ in northern Gaza. The situation in both Lebanon and Gaza is dire, with violence escalating and diplomatic solutions being sought.
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