Beirut, Lebanon: World leaders and the United Nations called for an urgent ceasefire, amid escalating war tensions. At least 492 people, including 35 children, were killed, and 1,645 others wounded following a day of intense Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, as reported by the country’s Health Ministry.
Hezbollah retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli airbases. Gaza death toll has hiked to over 41,000, while more than 1,139 Israelis have died since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres. says that he is alarmed by the escalating situation and the large number of civilian casualties, amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October. He acknowledges the ongoing efforts by UNSCOL and UNIFIL to reduce tensions in Lebanon and stresses the urgent need for immediate de-escalation through diplomatic means.
I’m gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line & the large number of civilian casualties, including children, reported by the Lebanese authorities, amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October.
I’m also gravely alarmed by the continued…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 23, 2024
Israeli forces raid occupied West Bank
Clashes in the town of Tamoun, located south of Tubas in the northern West Bank, have been reported amid ongoing tensions between Palestinians and the Israeli military. These confrontations are often characterized by protests and violence, arising from broader issues related to the Israeli occupation.
The military are also conducting raid in, The town of al-Yamoun, west of Jenin, where Palestinian fighters claimed targeting Israeli forces with an explosive device, The Iraq al-Tayeh area in the city of Nablus, and The town of Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin.
US sends more troops to Middle East
US is sending additional troops to the Middle East as the fighting escalates between Israel and Hezbollah. More than 40,000 US personnel are already in the area.
Israel’s attacks on Khan Younis
According to Quds News Network and the Palestinian Information Centre, at least seven Palestinians have died in two separate Israeli attacks on Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Earlier reports indicated that Israeli fighter jets struck the Harb family home in the Qizan Abu Rashwan area, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Palestinian media outlets now report that the death toll has risen to five, with ten others injured.
Additionally, the jets targeted the Abu Jarbou family home in the Tahlia area of Khan Younis, killing at least two people and injuring five more.
NRC calls for support
The secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council has called for an end to indiscriminate attacks after Israel’s latest wave of bombardment across southern Lebanon.
Jan Egeland said that, “The targeting of civilian areas in southern and eastern Lebanon and northern Israel escalates hostilities to a new and incredibly dangerous level, any further escalation will drive violence and destruction at an immense scale and risk a full-scale regional conflict”.
Egeland also added that, the need for a ceasefire in Gaza has never been more critical.
ALSO READ | Anura Kumara Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lanka’s 9th President
