Israel is now in its third week of a conflict that has been named “Iron Words“. Sparked by a terrorist attack from Hamas on October 7th, the situation has escalated dramatically. As of October 22, over 1,400 Israelis have been killed, about 4,000 have been injured, and at least 210 are being held captive by Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been actively striking targets in Gaza in response to ongoing rocket attacks.
The war, initially focused on Gaza, has expanded to include Lebanon. Hezbollah and other Lebanese groups have intensified their attacks, targeting towns and military installations in northern Israel. In response, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terror targets, including military compounds and observation posts. Lebanese media have reported Israeli warplanes attacking targets in the Bint Jbeil area in southern Lebanon.
During the second week of the conflict, high-profile diplomatic visits were made, including those by US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. These visits indicate the level of international concern over the escalating situation. Lebanon has also issued warnings about the crisis potentially engulfing the entire region, sounding alarms over the growing fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could soon expand further.
Reports from Gaza indicate that several hospitals have been ordered to evacuate, adding to the humanitarian concerns. The United Nations has described the conditions in Gaza as “catastrophic”, and there are fears that the conflict could lead to a broader humanitarian crisis, affecting not just Gaza but also southern Lebanon.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has communicated with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, emphasizing the importance of not being drawn into the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The IDF continues to thwart attacks from both Gaza and Lebanon, including anti-tank missiles launched toward the area of Tsiporen. An IDF soldier was severely injured after being hit by an anti-tank missile, and two others were lightly injured.
