Tensions between the Middle East and Eastern Europe are escalating:

International security tensions continue to escalate as Israel expands its airstrike campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Russia announces it will conduct systematic attacks on multiple military targets in Kyiv. At the same time, Cambodia draws attention with its decision to pardon former opposition leader Kem Sokha.

Israel attacks more than 70 Hezbollah targets.

Scenes of devastation following an Israeli airstrike in Baalbek, Lebanon.

According to Israeli media and regional sources, the Israeli government has announced it will increase airstrikes against Hezbollah forces following a series of drone attacks in northern Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to “intensify strikes” after several explosive-laden drones crashed into residential areas near the Lebanese border, including one that hit a school bus stop in the village of Shomera.

Immediately following Netanyahu's announcement, the IDF confirmed it had carried out further airstrikes targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and infrastructure in the Beqaa Valley and other areas in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, more than 70 Hezbollah targets were attacked in just 24 hours.

Escalating tensions have forced many residential areas in northern Israel to close schools and switch to online learning. Meanwhile, residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut have begun evacuating due to fears that Israel may resume a large-scale military operation against the Lebanese capital.

A senior US official revealed that Washington may soon support Israel in expanding its campaign against Hezbollah after the group allegedly failed to heed ceasefire warnings.

Russia informs the US of its plan to attack Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In other developments, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had spoken by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to inform him of Moscow's decision to launch attacks on several locations in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military.

According to the Russian side, the attacks will target facilities belonging to the military-industrial complex, command centers, and sites related to the production and programming of Ukrainian UAVs.

Moscow said the move was in response to Ukraine's repeated attacks on Russian territory, particularly after the raid on a vocational college dormitory in Lugansk that resulted in numerous casualties.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also called on foreign citizens, including diplomats and international organizations, to leave Kyiv quickly; and warned people to stay away from Ukrainian military and administrative facilities.

Cambodia pardons former opposition leader Kem Sokha.

Kem Sokha - former Cambodian opposition leader.

Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed an amnesty order for former opposition leader Kem Sokha, who had been sentenced to 27 years in prison for treason.

The decree was signed by Acting Head of State and President of the Senate Hun Sen on behalf of the King and publicly announced on social media.

Kem Sokha, 72, was a former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). He was arrested in 2017 on charges of conspiring with foreign forces to overthrow the government and was sentenced in 2023.

According to the decree, the amnesty only applies to prison sentences and does not include other additional penalties.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/trung-dong-dong-au-cang-thang-don-dap-post900397.html