Israel Orders More Evacuations and Targets New Location in Northern Lebanon
Israel escalated its military actions in northern Lebanon, ordering additional evacuations and targeting a new location on Saturday. A third UN peacekeeper was wounded in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes killed at least five people and wounded 15 in three different areas in Lebanon, including the town of Deir Billa, a previously untouched location. Residents of 23 southern Lebanese villages were ordered to evacuate to safer areas due to heightened Hezbollah activities, as claimed by the Israeli military.
UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, reported another peacekeeper wounded by gunfire and significant damage to its position in Ramyah. The conflict has displaced over 1.2 million people and resulted in 2,255 deaths since escalating a month ago.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted the current displacement surpasses the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, with more Lebanese forced from their homes.