Middle East crisis: Israeli airstrikes intensify in Northern Lebanon as conflict escalates; top Hamas leader Saeed Atallah dead

PTC Web Desk: The Israeli army has expanded its airstrikes to northern Lebanon on Saturday, continuing its offensive against Hezbollah while bombings persist in Beirut and southern cities. Airstrikes targeted the northern city of Tripoli early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of a top Hamas leader, Saeed Atallah, and three family members in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp, according to Hamas-affiliated media. The Israeli military has yet to comment on this particular strike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued three alerts urging residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately as explosions and airstrikes were reported near Beirut's airport. The IDF has been conducting intense bombardments in southern Lebanon for nearly three weeks, claiming numerous casualties and displacing over 1.2 million people.

In a tweet, the IDF confirmed that airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah command centre located within a mosque in southern Lebanon, from which the group had been operating. “Air Force aircraft carried out targeted attacks during the night, under the intelligence guidance of Amman and the Northern Command, against operatives of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah, who were operating from a headquarters established in a mosque near the 'Salah Ehandor' hospital,” the military stated in Hebrew.

The fate of Hashem Safieddine, who is viewed as the likely successor to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and was reportedly targeted in an Israeli strike on Thursday, remains uncertain, with no comments from either Israel or Hezbollah. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz tweeted a photo of Safieddine alongside Nasrallah, urging Iranian leader Khamenei to withdraw his proxies from Lebanon.

Clashes continue as Hezbollah reported ongoing attempts by the Israeli army to infiltrate the southern Lebanese town of Odaisseh, along with artillery shelling in the city of Khiam and the outskirts of Kafr Kila.

In a related development, Israel is reportedly weighing its options in light of Iran's ballistic missile attack on Tuesday, which Tehran claims was a response to Israel's military actions in Lebanon. US President Joe Biden indicated that Israel has yet to decide on a course of action, suggesting alternatives to targeting Iranian oil fields.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Syria for discussions following a visit to Lebanon, where he reaffirmed Iran's support for Lebanon and Hezbollah. The United States announced nearly $157 million in new humanitarian assistance to aid civilians affected by the conflict in Lebanon and the region. This funding aims to address the needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations within Lebanon and support those fleeing to neighboring Syria.

Meanwhile, the US military executed strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, with residents reporting blasts at military outposts and an airport as aircraft and warships bombed the area. The British military also participated in these strikes.

President Biden remarked on the Middle East crisis, emphasising his administration's support for Israel. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have done. None, none, none,” he asserted, while questioning whether Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is attempting to influence the US election.

In a rare sermon addressing a large crowd in Tehran, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged regional allies to enhance their efforts against Israel, declaring, “double your efforts and capabilities... and resist the aggressive enemy.” Iran's Foreign Minister warned of severe retaliation if Israel takes any action against Iran, stating, “If the Israeli entity takes any step or measure against us, our retaliation will be stronger than the previous one.”

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that over 2,000 persons, including 127 children and 261 women, have been killed due to Israeli attacks since the current round of hostilities began. In Gaza, the health ministry reported at least 41,825 Palestinians killed and 96,910 wounded since the Israeli military offensive commenced on October 7.