Dozens killed or missing after Israeli strikes on Gaza

On Thursday, heavy Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip left dozens of people dead or missing, according to local authorities. 

A strike near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern part of Gaza resulted in significant casualties, with the hospital’s director, Hossam Abu Safiya, confirming the grim situation. 

"Bodies arrive at the hospital in pieces," said Abu Safiya reported by AFP , as rescue teams continued searching for survivors and retrieving the bodies of the dead.

Another strike hit the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, killing at least 22 people. 

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated, "We can confirm that 22 martyrs were transferred (to hospital) after a strike targeted a house."

A resident, Moataz al-Arouqi, also shared the horror of the scene, saying, "There is a headless body. We don‍‍`t yet know who this is."

These attacks come as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, following Hamas’s deadly assault on October 7, 2023. 

That attack, the deadliest in Israel’s history, left 1,206 people dead, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials. 

In response, Israel has launched extensive airstrikes across Gaza, pledging to dismantle Hamas and rescue hostages taken during the initial attack.

In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Israel is also engaged in battles with Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. 

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, which has long been at odds with Israel.

U.S. Push for Truce in Lebanon

On Thursday, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Hochstein had been in Lebanon earlier in the week, where talks suggested some progress toward ending the fighting.

However, on Wednesday, the United States vetoed a proposed UN Security Council ceasefire, arguing that it would strengthen Hamas.

Since Israel expanded its operations to include Lebanon in September, it has been targeting Hezbollah strongholds with airstrikes. 

Lebanon has reported that over 3,500 people, including 200 children, have been killed since the fighting began, mostly due to the escalation in recent months.

Escalating Tensions with Hezbollah

After the October 7 attack by Hamas, Hezbollah began launching cross-border strikes against Israel in support of Hamas. 

Israel, in turn, widened its military focus to confront Hezbollah, promising to continue the fight until Israeli civilians displaced by Hezbollah’s attacks can return home safely.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized on Wednesday that any potential ceasefire deal must allow Israel the "freedom to act" against Hezbollah. 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem gave a defiant speech, threatening retaliation against Israel’s commercial hub, Tel Aviv, for Israeli strikes on Lebanon. 

"Israel cannot defeat us and cannot impose its conditions on us," Qassem stated during his televised address.

In Lebanon, Hochstein met with key political figures, including parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is closely allied with Hezbollah. 

The U.S. envoy said earlier in the week that a resolution to the conflict was "within our grasp" and later noted that discussions had "made additional progress."

Since extending its operations into Lebanon, Israel has been relentless in its airstrikes, primarily targeting Hezbollah positions. 

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Lebanon, with widespread destruction and loss of life, including a large number of civilians.

Conflict Expands to Syria

In addition to the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has ramped up airstrikes in Syria, where it targets weapons being funneled to Hezbollah from Iran. 

On Wednesday, an Israeli strike in eastern Syria reportedly killed 71 fighters allied with Iran, including Syrian, Iraqi, and Lebanese Hezbollah members. 

Israel, while not commenting on individual strikes, has repeatedly stated its intention to prevent Iran from expanding its military presence in Syria.

Further Strikes in Lebanon

On Thursday, Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after the Israeli military warned civilians to evacuate. 

Strikes were also reported in southern Lebanon, including in the border town of Khiam, where Israeli troops are attempting to advance, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Israel confirmed that three of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, bringing the total number of Israeli troops killed in the conflict since September 30 to 52.

Hezbollah, which remains the only armed group in Lebanon that did not disarm after the country’s 1975-1990 civil war, continues to wield significant influence both militarily and politically in Lebanon.

The U.S., a key ally of Israel, has been pushing for a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

This resolution calls for Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers to be the only armed forces operating in southern Lebanon. However, achieving this ceasefire remains a challenge, with tensions still running high across the region.