Israel steps up strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza despite diplomatic push
Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip have witnessed heavy airstrikes in the past days, amid renewed efforts to appease the situation in the region.
BEIRUT — The Israeli army carried out airstrikes in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip over the weekend and into Monday, leaving dozens of casualties.
The escalation comes as Western and regional powers push for de-escalation including at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh on Monday.
The Israeli army has been relentlessly pounding the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, and at the same time has been engaged in violent cross-border attacks with Hezbollah in Lebanon that recently escalated. The military has also struck Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Yemen in response to their repeated attacks against Israel.
Over 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war started according to local authorities. Hamas militants killed nearly 1,200 people during its Oct. 7 onslaught in southern Israel, and took over 240 others hostage.
