Hezbollah reported on Sunday that it was fighting against Israeli forces attempting to enter the village of Ramya in southern Lebanon. The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group has been escalating, with a third U.N. peacekeeper being injured amid the tensions.
Israeli attacks have hit the main base of U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, leading to strong criticism from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Western countries. The U.N. peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, called the situation serious and emphasized the need to protect U.N. personnel and property.
France summoned Israel's ambassador, while France, Italy, and Spain issued a joint statement condemning the attacks on peacekeepers. U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to avoid targeting UNIFIL forces, and Russia expressed outrage, demanding that Israel stop hostile actions against peacekeepers.
On Saturday, Israeli air and ground strikes in Gaza killed at least 29 Palestinians, with heavy attacks focusing on the Jabalia area, where many civilians are reportedly trapped.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that nearly 320 projectiles were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday. As a response, Israel restricted access to certain areas in northern Israel.
Israel ordered the evacuation of residents from 23 villages in southern Lebanon, citing increased Hezbollah activity. The IDF claimed Hezbollah was using these locations to hide weapons and carry out attacks, a claim Hezbollah denies.
Evacuation orders were also given for two neighborhoods in northern Gaza due to intense fighting, but the Hamas-led interior ministry in Gaza advised residents not to leave.
The conflict with Hezbollah began a year ago, as the group launched rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas when the Gaza war started. Recently, Israel intensified its military actions by bombing parts of southern Lebanon, Beirut's southern suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley, resulting in the deaths of several Hezbollah leaders. Hezbollah responded with more rocket fire into Israel.
Over a year of fighting has led to the displacement of more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon, with over 2,100 killed and 10,000 injured, including women and children, according to Lebanon's government. The casualties include both civilians and fighters.
