Israel-Hamas Conflict: Intensifying Strikes in Syria and Lebanon Raise Concerns of Regional Spread

2023-10-22 20:58:14

Gaza/Jerusalem ∙ Israel’s airstrikes against Syria and Lebanon have intensified the fear that the Israel-Hamas conflict will spread throughout the Middle East. Israel says it targeted Hamas centers in both places. The US has also announced that it will send more military equipment to the region. According to the Department of Health, 266 people were killed in Gaza in 24 hours, and 117 of them were children. Total death toll 4741. Israel claims to have killed deputy head of Hamas rocket force.

March on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Demonstrations of Palestinian solidarity were held yesterday in many places, including the US and various European countries. Image: Archyde.com

Due to Israel’s missile attack, the operation of Syria’s two main airports, namely Damascus and Aleppo, has come to a standstill. 2 people were killed. Israel also announced that it destroyed many Hezbollah centers in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed that 6 people were killed.

Trucks from Egypt cross the Rafah border. (Photo by Ahmed Gomaa/Xinhua/IANS)

Iran, which has significant influence over Syria and Lebanon, has warned that things will get out of hand if the Israeli attack continues. Israel evacuated more of its citizens from the border areas with Syria and Lebanon.

Peace in the distance: Nuns comfort relatives of Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios in Gaza City. Image: AP

∙ Airstrikes against An Ansar Mosque in Jenin, West Bank. Israel says it killed members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in a tunnel near the mosque. The total death toll in the West Bank is 91, including 6 yesterday.

∙ Israel says Hamas has taken 212 hostages.

∙ Hamas claims to have launched a rocket attack on Tel Aviv.

Broken and heartbroken: A woman cries in a house destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Rafa’a, southern Gaza. Picture: AFP

17 more trucks to Gaza; No fuel

Rafa – 17 trucks were transported from Egypt to Gaza through the Rafa border on the second day. But the UN said that even 4% of the aid given before the conflict cannot be delivered now. Hospitals and seawater treatment plants are at a standstill as Israel refuses to allow fuel to be transported. Due to having to depend on sewage water, diseases including diarrhea are on the rise.

Air Force plane carrying relief supplies to Gaza. (Image: X @MEAIndia)

Indian Aid to Gaza

New Delhi ∙ India’s help to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Air Force C-17 aircraft arrived in Egypt with 40 tons of supplies including medicine, food items, clothes, tents and sleeping bags. They will be brought to Gaza through the Rafah border. External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that more help will be brought in the coming days.

English Summary: