BEIRUT/CAIRO, October 14, 2024 – Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon on Saturday by announcing the evacuation of 23 southern Lebanese villages as hostilities with Hezbollah spike. Israeli forces ordered the remaining residents to move to areas north of the Awali River due to heightened Hezbollah activities in the area.
The order came as Israel widened its airstrikes, hitting new locations including Deir Billa in northern Lebanon, a town that had never been hit before. Lebanon’s health ministry said that strikes across three regions of Israel have killed at least 15 people and injured 37 others.
Hezbollah reportedly launched nearly 320 projectiles into northern Israel on Saturday and the Israeli government closed off several northern towns to the public for safety.
Escalating conflict has also struck the peacekeeping forces. A third UN peacekeeper was injured in the crossfire as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, deteriorated. Israel claims Hezbollah uses civilian areas to hide its weapons and launch attacks, allegations Hezbollah denies.
The region remains wracked by the rising violence, as the conflict continues to show no signs of going away.
