7 perish as Israel targets Damascus

DAMASCUS: Heavy bombardment by Israel in Damascus killed at least seven and injured eleven, as the occupying force ramped up bombardment on its neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, heavy exchanges of fire persisted on Tuesday between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) hinted at a possible escalation of its ground military operations in Lebanon.

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The IDF claimed to have mobilised its first reserve division to engage in the southwestern region of the country. Naim Qassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah, stated his group was determined to continue resisting the illegal state of Israel, while also suggesting support for a temporary 21-day cease-fire with Israel.

However, he maintained that Hezbollah would not consent to a more enduring truce without a concurrent cease-fire in Gaza.

The ongoing Israeli brutality and bombardment has resulted in widespread displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes along the Israel-Lebanon border.

In Gaza, Israeli armoured units advanced further into the Jabalia area, instructing residents to evacuate as they conducted extensive aerial bombardments on the historic Palestinian refugee camp.

Palestinian medical personnel reported casualties in Jabalia but faced significant obstacles in reaching affected areas due to Israel aggression. The Israeli military sieged Jabalia in recent days, as it intesified its assaults on northern Gaza at unprecedented levels.

Chris Gunness, a former spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, condemned the violence in Gaza, labeling it a “slaughter.” He criticised the international community for its inaction, stating that the events of the past year represent a “stain on the conscience of humanity.”

In response, Hezbollah launched rockets at the Israeli city of Haifa, following reports of 85 projectiles crossing from Lebanon. The group warned of intensified attacks on Israel, particularly targeting Haifa, if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continued.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm over the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, stating that they pose a threat to regional stability. He noted that the death toll from the conflict has exceeded that of the Israeli war in 2006.