UN warns Middle East conflict is becoming 'catastrophic'

Israel has faced fierce criticism over an incident in southern Lebanon, in which five UN blue helmets were injured.

Smoke rises in Beirut, October 12, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

Israeli airstrikes on two villages near the capital Beirut killed nine people on Saturday, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Israel had previously told residents of southern Lebanon not to return to their homes as its army battles Hezbollah.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on social media X: “For your own protection, do not return home until further notice… Do not go south; anyone who goes south could be putting their life in danger.”

Hezbollah forces have increased attacks on targets around the northern Israeli city of Haifa.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah fired about 320 shells into Israel over the Yom Kippur weekend, while Israel also struck about 280 “terrorist targets” in Lebanon and Gaza.

Five UN peacekeepers have been wounded in two days of fighting in southern Lebanon and extensive damage has been caused to their posts, the UN peacekeeping force said.

In Israel, markets were closed and public transport halted as Jews observed Yom Kippur.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza continues to wreak havoc and has killed 42,175 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory.

Israel continues its campaign in Gaza, besieging the area around Jabalia in the north, adding to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people trapped there, according to the UN refugee agency.

Cao Phong (according to CNA, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lien-hop-quoc-canh-bao-xung-dot-trung-dong-dang-tro-nen-tham-khoc-post316599.html