United News of Bangladesh

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, have killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,165, according to Lebanese civil defence authorities. The casualties were reported from multiple places with Beirut recording 92 deaths and 742 injuries, followed by heavy losses in the southern suburbs, Nabatieh, Tyre, and Sidon, reports Al Jazeera. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lebanon would not be part of any ceasefire arrangement involving Iran, reaffirming continued strikes against Hezbollah targets. “We are continuing to hit Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israeli forces targeted areas previously considered safe by the group. US President Donald Trump also said Lebanon is not included in the reported two-week ceasefire deal, describing the situation as a “separate skirmish” linked to Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the United States to choose between ceasefire and continued conflict. “The world is witnessing the killings in Lebanon… the ball is now in America’s court,” he said. Qatar condemned the Israeli attacks, calling them a “dangerous escalation” and a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, and urged the international community to act to stop the violence. The latest developments have raised concerns over a wider regional conflict as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.  

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has launched a “broad wave of attacks” targeting infrastructure linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. In a statement late Thursday, the Israeli military said the strikes were being conducted simultaneously with operations in Beirut, the Lebanese capital. Earlier, the IDF issued an evacuation warning to residents in Beirut, particularly those living in the Bachura neighbourhood, urging them to leave the area immediately. No immediate details were available about casualties or damage following the strikes.   With inputs from BBC

Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon on Saturday in retaliation for rockets fired at Israeli targets, marking the most intense exchange of fire since the ceasefire. The rockets from Lebanon, which hit northern Israel, were launched earlier in the day, sparking concerns over the stability of the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Israel had warned of a severe response to the attack, which targeted the town of Metula. Israel-Hezbollah war: WB estimates $11 billion needed for reconstruction of Lebanon The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack from Gaza, leading to full-scale war in September. Israel’s massive airstrikes killed many Hezbollah leaders and left over 4,000 people dead in Lebanon. The ceasefire brokered in November required Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territories by January, with the deadline extended to February 18. However, Israel has remained in five locations across Lebanon, continuing airstrikes on southern and eastern regions, which it claims were aimed at Hezbollah. Israel’s Prime Minister instructed the military to strike dozens of targets in Lebanon, asserting that Israel would not tolerate threats to its sovereignty. No comments have been made by Hezbollah. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, urged the Lebanese military to take necessary actions while expressing a desire to avoid war. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the potential escalation and called for restraint, warning of serious consequences for the region. The strikes occurred after Israel announced its plans to intensify operations in Gaza until Hamas releases the 59 hostages it holds. Israeli airstrikes the previous night resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, including three children. Israel also destroyed Gaza's only specialized cancer hospital, accusing Hamas of using it as a base. Around 600 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its operations earlier this week. War-torn Lebanon forms its first government in over 2 years International condemnation of the attacks has been widespread. Foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany called Israel's actions in Gaza a major setback, urging an immediate return to a ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has killed over 49,000 Palestinians, with Israel claiming that around 20,000 were militants, though this figure remains unverified.