al jazeera

By Usaid Siddiqui
   A huge explosion is heard in central Israel as Hezbollah launches 200 drones and rockets with the Lebanese group vowing “a blow in the heart of Beirut equals a blow in Tel Aviv”.
   Israel tanks and troops are forced to retreat from a strategic hilltop position in southern Lebanon’s al-Bayada area as Hezbollah pounds it with a barrage of anti-tank missiles.
   Gaza’s Health Ministry says 35 Palestinians were killed and 94 wounded in the latest 24-hour reporting period as Israeli forces issue new evacuation orders for Gaza City’s Shujayea in the besieged north.
   The death toll from Israel’s attack on central Beirut rises to 29 as rescuers continue to comb the rubble for survivors. At least 66 others were wounded.
   Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 44,211 Palestinians and wounded 104,567 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day with more than 200 taken captive.
   In Lebanon, at least 3,754 people have been killed and 15,626 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.

    France expresses concern on attacks injuring UNIFIL peacekeepers

    The French foreign ministry condemned the rocket attacks that injured four Italian UN peacekeepers on Friday.

    “France reiterates that it is imperative that UNIFIL be able to exercise its freedom of movement so that it can fully implement its mandate,” it said in a statement.

    It also stressed the protection of peacekeepers and the safety and security of United Nations “personnel, property, and premises” must be guaranteed.

    “Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a violation of international law and [UN Security Council] Resolution 1701,” it added.

    Israeli army issues new forced evacuation orders in south Beirut

    Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee sent more warnings for civilians to flee the Lebanese capital.

    A statement gave a map for “certain buildings” in the Ghobeiry and Burj al-Barajneh suburbs of Beirut allegedly “affiliated with Hezbollah” that are danger areas.

    Such warnings have repeatedly been followed by Israeli air strikes soon afterwards.

    More than a dozen wounded in occupied West Bank missile fire

    The Palestine Red Crescent Society reports 13 injuries caused by a projectile that struck several homes in Tulkarem refugee camp.

    It’s not clear if they were hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon or by an interception missile fired from Israel. Local media showed footage of smoke rising from the scene and victims arriving at a hospital.

    Both Israel and Hezbollah have launched a large number attacks since dawn.