Sun Nov 24 12:13:27 UTC 2024: ## Israel-Lebanon War Intensifies: Lebanese Soldier Killed in Israeli Strike, Hezbollah Launches Massive Rocket Barrage

**Beirut, Lebanon – November 24, 2024** – The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated sharply today, with a reported Israeli airstrike killing one Lebanese soldier and wounding 18 others. This followed a massive rocket and projectile barrage launched by Hezbollah into northern and central Israel, injuring at least five Israelis.

The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike on the Lebanese Army center, stating it occurred during ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, strongly condemned the action, denouncing it as an attack on ongoing U.S.-led ceasefire efforts.

Hezbollah fired approximately 160 rockets and projectiles into Israel, some of which were intercepted. The Israeli Magen David Adom rescue service reported injuries in both central and northern Israel, ranging from light wounds to serious condition. The cause of all injuries and damage remains unclear.

This latest escalation comes after Israeli airstrikes on Saturday killed at least 20 people and wounded 66 in Beirut. Overall, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 3,500 Lebanese civilians, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, and displaced 1.2 million people. In Israel, approximately 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed, with around 60,000 displaced from the north.

The U.S. has been actively involved in brokering a ceasefire, with envoy Amos Hochstein recently in the region. The European Union also called for increased pressure on both sides, announcing a €200 million aid package for the Lebanese military to assist in securing the south. A potential agreement, pending Israeli government approval, would involve the withdrawal of Hezbollah and Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese troops patrolling the area under UN peacekeeping supervision. However, the Lebanese army’s capacity to fully enforce this remains a significant challenge. The war, initially sparked by Hamas’s October 7th attack on Gaza, continues to wreak havoc across the region.

Read More