Sun Sep 29 23:01:15 UTC 2024: ## Israel Expands Strikes in Lebanon and Yemen, Killing Hundreds

**BEIRUT, LEBANON/JERUSALEM** – Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Sunday, targeting Houthi positions in Yemen and further escalating its bombardment of Lebanon, now two weeks into a major conflict. The attacks come just days after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, sparking widespread fears of a wider regional conflict.

Israel claimed the airstrikes in Yemen were in retaliation for recent Houthi missile attacks, while the strikes in Lebanon continued Israel’s effort to cripple Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The Houthi-run health ministry reported at least four dead and 29 injured in the Yemen attacks, while Lebanon’s Health Ministry said over 105 people had been killed in the latest Israeli strikes, bringing the total death toll in Lebanon to over 1,000 in the past two weeks.

Israel’s military chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, vowed to continue the offensive, declaring that Hezbollah needs to be hit hard. The strikes, including drone attacks in Beirut, have forced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese citizens to flee their homes.

While Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, has not directly intervened, it has vowed revenge for Nasrallah’s death and has continued to support its proxies in the region. Analysts remain cautious, noting that Iran may be hesitant to escalate the conflict, but the potential for a wider war remains a serious concern.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared that “no place is too far” for Israeli strikes, hinting at a potential expansion of the conflict.

Meanwhile, the US has urged a diplomatic solution but has also reinforced its military presence in the region. President Biden affirmed the need to avoid an all-out war and said he will be speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with over a million people displaced and a significant impact on the country’s already fragile infrastructure.

Despite the devastation, many Lebanese are resolute in their resistance, refusing to abandon their homes. International aid agencies have begun distributing food and medical supplies to those affected.

The escalation of the conflict raises serious concerns about the future of the region, with tensions escalating rapidly and the potential for wider conflict looming large.

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