Hezbollah’s drone attack kills 4 Israeli soldiers in Tel Aviv; at least 22 Palestinians killed as Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza

The Israeli military claimed these strikes targeted Hamas militants allegedly using civilian facilities for military operations. Hamas denied these claims.

On social media, footage showed several tents set ablaze as some Palestinians tried helplessly to put out the fire. The footage was not verified.

As the Israeli military continues its offensive, it has effectively isolated towns like Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya from Gaza City, restricting movement and access to aid, Reuters reported quoting the residents.

The Israeli military issued a statement on Sunday saying Israeli forces operating throughout Gaza in the past 24 hours had attacked about 40 targets and killed dozens of militants. The statement further read, “The forces of Division 162 continue to operate in the Jabalia region, in the last day the forces killed dozens of terrorists and found explosives, weapons, grenades and other means of warfare in the region,” it said.

What happened in Israel?

Alongside Israel offensive in Gaza and southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Hezbollah fired an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which hit an army base near Binyamina, a town north of Tel Aviv. The attack targeted a military training facility belonging to Israel’s elite Golani Brigade.

According to first responders and emergency services in Israel, close to 61 people had been injured in the drone attack by the Lebanon-based group.

Yesterday, a UAV launched by the Hezbollah terrorist organization hit an army base.

4 IDF soldiers were killed in the incident.

The IDF shares in the grief of the bereaved families and will continue to accompany them.

We ask to refrain from spreading rumours and the names of…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 13, 2024

Israeli soldiers and a man fold gurneys following a drone attack from Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, at Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel. (Reuters)

The IDF further added that investigation is underway on how the drone entered the Israeli airspace without triggering any alert. In a video message, the Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, “We will learn from and investigate the incident, how a UAV entered without an alert at the base.”

Meanwhile, the United States on Sunday announced that it would be sending an advanced anti-missile system to Israel and the US troops to operate the same in order for Tel Aviv to bolster its air defense systems.

President Joe Biden said that he was sending the weapon to defend Israel. Pentagon’s spokesperson Pat Ryder said, “It is part of the broader adjustments the US military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed concern on the scarcity of food in Gaza saying,  “No food has entered northern Gaza in nearly two weeks”. In her post on X, she further said, “Israel must urgently do more to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need. Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water, and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected.”

Palestinian and United Nations officials have repeatedly sounded alarms saying there are no safe areas in Gaza. They also indicate severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies in northern Gaza, and adding that the besieged enclave is at a risk of famine there.