Israeli drone attack kills 10 Palestinians in Gaza City

The ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine has once again escalated, with significant casualties reported. In Gaza, at least 10 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli drone attack targeting a gathering in central Gaza City. This follows a pattern of escalating strikes amid the broader conflict.

In addition, Israeli airstrikes also hit southern Lebanon, where at least three people were killed in the village of Dibbine, located in the Marjeyoun district. Israeli warplanes also targeted the eastern mountain area between Kfar Zabad and Anjar in the Bekaa Valley, intensifying tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

These attacks reflect the broader instability in the region, which has seen an increase in hostilities, including airstrikes and drone attacks on both sides. The violence has had a devastating impact on civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and surrounding areas.

The Israeli army has yet to comment on the specific incident involving the drone attack in Gaza, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did announce completing a targeted operation in the Jabalia area, which focused on dismantling underground militant infrastructure. Meanwhile, Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for destroying an Israeli armored personnel carrier and tank in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

The ongoing conflict has escalated since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel has carried out an extensive military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in a staggering Palestinian death toll, now reported at over 44,700, according to Gaza-based health authorities.

This ongoing violence continues to drive up casualties on both sides, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has reportedly kidnapped two Lebanese citizens from Ain Qinia, a village in the Hasbaya district, while they were picking olives. The Israeli army confirmed the operation on social media, stating that its troops are actively working in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from deploying and to neutralize perceived threats. They framed the action as being in line with an understanding between Israel and Lebanon.

This incident occurs despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France, which went into effect on 27 November 2024, aiming to bring an end to nearly 14 months of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. However, even with the truce in place, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. These ongoing hostilities have raised concerns about the sustainability of the agreement and the potential for further escalation.

The situation in southern Lebanon is particularly volatile, with frequent exchanges of fire along the Israeli-Lebanese border, heightening fears that the ceasefire may collapse and reignite full-scale hostilities. The continued tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, along with recent Israeli actions, underscore the fragile nature of the current peace efforts in the region.

With IANS inputs