Rocket Attack from Lebanon Leaves 11 Injured in Israel as Ceasefire Hopes Fade
Rocket Fire Hits Residential Area in Tira
On Saturday, rockets launched from Lebanon struck central Israel, wounding 11 people, with one projectile hitting a residential home in Tira. Israeli emergency services reported that those injured sustained shrapnel wounds. Qasim Mohab, a local resident, recounted the terrifying moments following the blast: “We went out and saw dust, children screaming, women screaming, and everyone rushed to the house that was struck. We managed to evacuate and rescue those inside, and thank God, there were no fatalities.” Israel’s military reported that air raid sirens continued to sound across northern regions as additional rockets from Lebanon were launched.
Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah
The recent surge in violence marks a significant escalation in hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon. The conflict intensified after October 7, when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli sources. Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel shortly after, aligning with Hamas amid rising regional tensions. Efforts by U.S. officials to mediate a ceasefire have encountered growing obstacles as hostilities increase on both sides.
Rising Civilian Casualties in Lebanon and Gaza
The humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict is mounting. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes on Friday targeted over a dozen towns in the Baalbek region, an area known for its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, killing at least 52 people. Since the conflict’s onset, nearly 2,900 Lebanese civilians have lost their lives in Israeli strikes, the health ministry confirmed. Gaza has witnessed even higher casualties, with over 43,000 Palestinians reported dead as Israeli forces press forward with their offensive against Hamas, according to the enclave’s health ministry.
Deaths in Israel from Cross-Border Attacks
In Israel, authorities reported that 71 people have died as a result of cross-border attacks from Hezbollah since hostilities began. The escalating violence has cast doubt on any immediate prospects for a ceasefire, as both Israel and Hezbollah continue their attacks. The conflict has intensified the humanitarian crisis in the region, with civilians on all sides bearing the brunt of the violence.