Escalating Middle East Conflict: Israeli Strikes Kill 34 in Gaza and Lebanon; U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen Leave 12 Dead

Israeli military operations in Gaza killed at least 32 Palestinians, including women and children, over the weekend. Two individuals, including a senior Hezbollah commander, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, resulted in 12 deaths and 30 injuries, according to Houthi sources. These actions highlight escalating regional tensions, with significant civilian casualties and targeted killings of militant figures. The Israeli government faces pressure to secure hostages, while U.S. operations in Yemen have drawn criticism for their impact on civilians.

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill 32, Including Women and Children

Over the past 48 hours, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 32 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The strikes targeted multiple areas, including Rafah, Nuseirat, and Gaza City. Among the casualties were women and children, with hospitals such as the European Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital confirming fatalities from specific incidents.

In Rafah, five people were killed in a bombing in the northeastern part of the city. In central Gaza’s Nuseirat camp, three bodies were recovered after an Israeli airstrike destroyed a family home. Another strike west of Nuseirat killed one person, while two more were killed in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City. A separate incident in Al-Mawasi also resulted in one death.

The Israeli military stated that it had killed over 40 Hamas militants during the weekend operations. The army also confirmed the death of one Israeli soldier in northern Gaza, marking the first military fatality since the resumption of the war on March 18. Hamas’ Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the ambush that led to the soldier’s death, which occurred east of Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Saturday that Israel would continue its offensive until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed. “We have no choice but to continue fighting,” he said, emphasizing that the war would not end until Israel’s security objectives are met.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza

The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced nearly 90% of its population. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023, with the majority being women and children. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties.

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for the past six weeks, severely limiting the entry of food and essential goods. Aid organizations and the United Nations have warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of children suffering from malnutrition and most residents surviving on less than one meal per day.

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill Two, Including Senior Hezbollah Commander

In southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed two individuals in separate incidents. One person died when a vehicle was struck in Kouthariyet al-Siyad, and another was killed in the town of Houla, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and Civil Defense.

The Israeli military confirmed that one of the deceased was Hussein Ali Nasr, the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400. The unit is reportedly responsible for smuggling weapons and funds into Lebanon, often in coordination with Iranian operatives. The IDF stated that Nasr had facilitated arms transfers through Beirut International Airport and along the Syria-Lebanon border.

The targeted strike on Nasr was part of a broader Israeli campaign, dubbed Operation Northern Arrows, aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s logistical and military infrastructure. The Israeli Air Force conducted multiple precision strikes over the weekend, guided by intelligence reports.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on November 27, 2024, hostilities have continued intermittently. Israel maintains a presence on several hilltops along the Lebanese border, and Hezbollah has refused to disarm while Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon.

U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 12, Injure 30

In Yemen, U.S. airstrikes targeting the capital Sanaa killed 12 people and wounded 30 others, according to Houthi officials. The strikes reportedly hit the Fruwa neighborhood market in the Shuub district, an area previously targeted by American forces. Footage broadcast by the Houthis’ al-Masirah channel showed damaged buildings and vehicles, with civilians, including children, among the casualties.

The U.S. military’s Central Command has not released details about the operation or confirmed the casualty figures. The Pentagon has also declined to comment on civilian deaths resulting from the ongoing air campaign.

These latest strikes follow a deadly attack last week on the Ras Isa fuel port, which killed at least 74 people and injured 171. The U.S. has intensified its military operations in Yemen since March, citing threats to international shipping in the Red Sea and alleged Houthi plans to resume attacks on Israeli-linked vessels.

The Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant ships since November 2023, sinking two and killing four sailors. The U.S. has responded with a series of airstrikes aimed at degrading the group’s military capabilities.

Escalating Regional Tensions

The simultaneous military actions by Israel and the United States underscore the growing volatility in the Middle East. In Gaza, the Israeli government faces mounting domestic pressure to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv over the weekend, demanding a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal.

In Lebanon, the targeted killing of a senior Hezbollah commander is likely to provoke further retaliation, despite the existing ceasefire. Hezbollah has vowed not to disarm as long as Israeli forces remain in the region and continue air operations.

Meanwhile, in Yemen, the civilian toll from U.S. airstrikes has drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations and raised concerns about the transparency and legality of the American campaign. The Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa since 2014, continue to resist international pressure and have linked their military actions to the situation in Gaza.

References

• Netanyahu vows to continue Gaza offensive until Hamas is destroyed and hostages freed
• Two killed in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon
• US airstrikes killed 12 people in Yemen’s capital, the Houthi rebels say
• Israel pounds Gaza as Yemenis search for survivors after deadly US bombing
• LIVE BLOG: Mounting Civilian Deaths in Gaza | Israelis Protest for Prisoner Deal - Day 562
• Lebanese Authorities Detain People They Say Were Planning Rocket Attacks On Israel – 710am KURV
• US air strikes on Yemen kill 12, Houthis say