Smoke and fire engulf the Middle East.

The Times of Israel reported that at least two people were injured in a rocket barrage launched from Lebanon toward the city of Nahariya in northern Israel on October 24. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said more than 50 rockets were fired, some of which had an impact in the country. The attack came a day after Hezbollah in Lebanon announced it was escalating its attacks on Israel.

Israel continues bombing Lebanon, US calls for a ceasefire.

Violence escalates

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacking an Israeli military facility on the outskirts of Tel Aviv with "precision-guided missiles that hit their target," while the IDF said it intercepted two flying objects and there were no casualties or damage to the military facility. Air raid sirens blared across central and northern Israel for the second consecutive day, prompting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to temporarily postpone his departure from the country on October 23.

Smoke rises after Israel launched an airstrike on the city of Tyre in Lebanon on October 23.

In a statement issued on October 24, the IDF said it had raided several Hezbollah weapons production facilities in the Dahiyeh area south of Beirut (Lebanon). Lebanese media reported that Israel carried out at least 17 raids overnight, leveling six buildings in the area and calling it the "most violent attack since the start of the war."

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF said "a large number" of Palestinians had evacuated from the north, but did not give a figure. According to CNN, Israeli forces yesterday continued their offensive in the Jabaliya area of ​​northern Gaza, claiming to have killed dozens of Hamas members and arrested more than 200 suspected terrorists. Meanwhile, medical experts and Gaza residents say 42 people were killed on October 23rd due to the intensified Israeli attacks.

Worse risks

Alarmingly, the violence spreading to Syria is at a critical level and could worsen, affecting international peace and security, UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on October 23. "The flames of conflict are raging fiercely in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and in Lebanon. The heat is spreading to Syria," he warned. The Syrian Ministry of Defense accused Israel of airstrikes in Damascus and Homs on October 24, which killed one Syrian soldier and wounded seven others. Israel has not commented on the incident.

Two gunmen carried out a terrorist attack on a Turkish airline, causing significant casualties.

Syria also witnessed another wave of violence when Türkiye launched airstrikes against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey and Iraq on October 23. Türkiye accused the PKK of a terrorist attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries Corporation in Ankara earlier that day, which killed five people and injured 22. The Kurdish-led SDF in Syria said the airstrike killed 12 civilians and injured 25. Türkiye has not commented on this information.

A building was severely damaged after an Israeli attack on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on October 24.

Another tense development is Israel's consideration of how to retaliate after the massive missile attack by Iran on October 1st. The Guardian yesterday quoted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as saying that a plan to strike Iran would "show the world Israel's military capabilities." Iran had previously threatened a stronger retaliation if Israel attacked.

Efforts to find solutions

The US Secretary of State arrived in Qatar yesterday, following visits to Israel and Saudi Arabia on a trip aimed at de-escalating the conflict. Mr. Blinken said he had spoken with Israeli leaders "about the importance of deciding whether Hamas is willing to participate." He stated that the ceasefire plan between Hamas and Israel, proposed by US President Joe Biden on May 31, remains on the negotiating table, but indicated a willingness to discuss "new frameworks" for the release of the more than 100 hostages in Gaza.

On the Hamas side, senior member Mousa Abu Marzouk arrived in Moscow on October 23 and met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. Following the meeting, Marzouk stated that Hamas wants Russia to encourage Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to begin negotiations on a post-Gaza national unity government.

WHO postpones polio vaccination in Gaza.

The Guardian reported on October 24th that the World Health Organization (WHO) said escalating violence in northern Gaza has led to the postponement of polio vaccinations for more than 100,000 children. Accordingly, the third phase of the campaign has been delayed due to the current fighting, which prevents families from bringing their children for vaccinations and also prevents healthcare workers from working. The Israeli army's Cogat humanitarian unit said the vaccination campaign in northern Gaza will begin in the next few days "after a joint assessment as recommended" by the WHO and UNICEF. The first phase vaccinated approximately 560,000 children and the second phase vaccinated over 590,000 children in Gaza, according to the WHO.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khoi-lua-bao-trum-trung-dong-185241024211618086.htm