Israeli assault on Gaza kills five children and wipes out cancer hospital [Getty]
Israel has escalated its military operations, launching a series of air raids across southern Lebanon in retaliation for rocket fire. This marks the first cross-border rocket launch from Lebanon in months, and Israel responded swiftly with artillery fire targeting towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
The rockets were intercepted by Israel's defence systems, though some fell inside Lebanese territory. Hezbollah-affiliated media reported on Israeli artillery strikes in the town of Yahmar al-Shaqif, while other sources reported heavy machine gun fire directed at Kfar Kila and surrounding areas.
Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Beytenu held the Lebanese government responsible for any rocket fire from its territory, vowing to take appropriate action. The Lebanese National News Agency confirmed explosions in the airspace above southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Saturday’s incident, saying it represented an assault on Lebanon and aimed to jeopardise efforts to rescue the country, warning against any attempts to once again drag Lebanon into war.
At the same time, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 130 Palestinians in the past 48 hours, with five children among the victims of a major overnight raid on Gaza City. Gaza's Government Media Office raised the death toll to over 61,700, with many still trapped beneath the rubble.