Israel rains deadly blows on Gaza, Lebanon after Hamas leader's killing
(VOVWORLD) - Israel struck what it said were Hezbollah arms facilities in southern Beirut on Saturday after the Lebanese armed group fired rockets into northern Israel and a spokesman said a drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
 A general view of the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, at Choueifat district, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 20, 2024. (REUTERS) |
Netanyahu was not there at the time, and it was not immediately clear if the building was hit. But he described it as an assassination attempt by Hezbollah and called it a "grave mistake", as Israel prepares to retaliate for an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month.
The strikes came as medics and Hamas media in Gaza said Israeli bombardments had killed more than 100 people across the coastal enclave and a siege around three hospitals had tightened.
Promises by Israel and its enemies Hamas and Hezbollah to keep fighting have chilled hopes that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Wednesday might lead to truces in Gaza and Lebanon and prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Officials, diplomats and other sources say that with US elections approaching, Israel is seeking to use intensified military operations to try to shield its borders and ensure its rivals cannot regroup.
In Beirut's southern suburbs, Israel carried out heavy strikes on several locations, leaving thick plumes of smoke hanging over the city into the evening.
The strikes targeted "a number of Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and a Hezbollah intelligence headquarters command centre", Israel's military said.