Israeli airstrikes escalate in Gaza and Lebanon amid stalled US-led peace efforts

Israel has continued military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite Washington’s attempts to secure ceasefires on both fronts before the US presidential election next Tuesday. Medics in Gaza reported casualties from overnight strikes in the city of Deir al-Balah, the Nuseirat refugee camp, and Al-Zawayda town, including a strike on a school sheltering displaced people that left at least 10 dead. Another 10 died in a car hit in Khan Younis, according to medics.

The Israeli military stated its troops had killed “armed terrorists” in central Gaza and in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza. While it did not comment on the reported school strike, Israel typically denies targeting civilians. In Beirut, at least 10 strikes were launched on the city’s southern suburbs—an area last struck nearly a week ago—which followed evacuation orders for 10 neighbourhoods.

Addressing Israeli troops on Thursday, Netanyahu stated that “agreements, documents, proposals are not the main point. The main point is our ability and determination to enforce security, thwart attacks against us, and act against the arming of our enemies, despite any pressure and constraints.” He reportedly reiterated this stance to US envoys in Israel.

In Lebanon, Prime Minister Mikati accused Israel of “rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction.” Israeli strikes also hit Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, affecting UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, where a cultural group noted visible cracks following nearby strikes.

The latest round of fighting started after Hezbollah launched rockets in solidarity with Palestinians, a day after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, which left approximately 1,200 dead and saw 251 hostages taken to Gaza. Israeli counteroffensives have since killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials, and 2,800 people in Lebanon, Lebanon’s health ministry reports.

In northern Israel, close to the Lebanese border, a farmer and four Thai workers died in a Hezbollah rocket attack on Metula on Thursday. Two more civilians were killed by shrapnel near Kiryat Ata, close to Haifa.