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Middle East Crisis Update: on Israel**
Hezbollah has initiated a series of extensive rocket attacks across northern Israel, with some projectiles landing near the city of Haifa. This escalation comes amid rising tensions in the region.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, has issued a stark warning about the potential for an "imminent catastrophe" in the Middle East. In a statement on social media platform X, she emphasized that "there is no military solution that will make either side safer."
In response to the ongoing conflict, hospitals in northern Israel have been directed to relocate their operations to facilities that offer enhanced protection against rocket and missile strikes. in Haifa is among those transferring patients to its secure underground facility. Additionally, the military's Home Front Command has announced that schools and educational activities in the northern region will be suspended until at least Monday at 6 PM local time.
The death toll from an Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah military leaders in the southern suburbs of Beirut has risen to 45, according to Lebanon's health ministry, which updated the earlier count of 37 from the attack that occurred on Friday.
In a separate incident, Israeli forces raided the
Al Jazeera bureau in Ramallah,
West Bank, under a military order to shut it down for 45 days.
The Qatar-based news channel broadcast live footage of the raid, during which Israeli troops delivered a closure order and confiscated documents, devices, and office property. ’ Syndicate condemned the raid, labeling it a violation of journalistic freedoms.
The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens in Lebanon to leave the country while commercial travel options are still available, noting that flights are currently operating at reduced capacity. They cautioned that if the security situation deteriorates further, commercial departure options may become limited.
In Gaza, the death toll from an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter has reportedly included "13 children and six women," one of whom was pregnant, according to Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the civil defense agency.
The Gaza health ministry has confirmed that at least 22 individuals have died as a result of this attack.
Q: What recent actions did Hezbollah take against Israel?
A: Hezbollah launched widespread attacks across northern Israel, with some rockets landing near the city of Haifa.
Q: What warning did the UN special coordinator for Lebanon issue?
A: Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert warned of an “imminent catastrophe” in the Middle East, emphasizing that there is no military solution that will ensure safety for either side.
Q: What measures have hospitals in northern Israel taken in response to the rocket attacks?
A: Hospitals have been instructed to transfer their operations to facilities with extra protection from rocket and missile fire, with Rambam hospital in Haifa moving patients to its underground secure facility.
Q: What was the outcome of the Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs?
A: The death toll from the airstrike targeting Hezbollah military commanders has risen to 45, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Q: What action did Israeli forces take against Al Jazeera's bureau in the West Bank?
A: Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's bureau in Ramallah, delivering a military order to close it for 45 days and confiscating documents and equipment.
Q: What advice has the US State Department given to Americans in Lebanon?
A: The US State Department urged Americans in Lebanon to leave the country while commercial flight options are still available, warning that these options may become limited if the security situation worsens.
Q: What was reported about the death toll from the Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza?
A: The strike resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, including 13 children and six women, one of whom was pregnant, according to the Gaza health ministry.