At least 31 people, including three children and seven women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The strike was previously thought to have killed at least 14 people, including a senior Hezbollah leader. The death toll from Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since October 7th has risen to at least 41,391 Palestinians, with the health ministry not distinguishing between civilians and militants.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned Israel’s actions as “shameless crimes” against children. Hezbollah confirmed the death of Ibrahim Aqil and other members of the elite Radwan unit in the airstrike. The attack has led to an escalation in violence between Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas, prompting warnings from the United Nations about the potential for a devastating regional conflict.
Israel has submitted challenges to the International Criminal Court over arrest warrants requested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The White House expressed concern over footage showing Israeli soldiers pushing seemingly lifeless bodies off a rooftop in the West Bank. Netanyahu has postponed his trip to the US due to the security situation in Israel’s north, as preparations are made to evacuate remaining Britons from Lebanon. President Joe Biden remains optimistic about achieving a ceasefire deal in Gaza despite escalating tensions in the region.
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