Middle East Latest: Israeli Airstrikes Impact Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran Amid Rising Tensions

Israeli airstrikes targeting sites in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran have resulted in multiple casualties and heightened tensions in the Middle East. In Lebanon, an airstrike struck guesthouses where journalists were residing in the southeast region, leading to the tragic deaths of three media professionals on Friday. Meanwhile, an attack in the southern Gaza Strip has reportedly claimed 38 lives.

Since border hostilities began on October 8, 2023, several journalists have lost their lives in exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanon's health ministry has reported over 2,600 fatalities and 12,200 injuries within the past year. The prolonged conflict has led to the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people, including over 400,000 children, according to the United Nations.

In Gaza, local health sources estimate that the Israeli offensive has resulted in over 42,000 deaths since fighting escalated following an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. During this incursion, militants breached Israel’s security barrier, killing approximately 1,200 civilians and capturing around 250 individuals.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in London on Friday. Safadi condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, characterizing them as ethnic cleansing, and emphasized the need for mediation to help navigate what he described as a "nightmare" affecting the region.

Iran Claims 'Limited Damage' from Israeli Airstrikes on Military Bases Iranian military officials reported early Saturday that Israeli airstrikes had targeted military sites across three provinces: Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran. The damage was described as "limited," according to a statement broadcast on state television, which did not display visual evidence. The military asserted that its air defenses minimized the impact of these attacks.

In response, Israeli authorities stated that their strikes aimed to dismantle missile manufacturing facilities allegedly responsible for producing missiles fired at Israel in the past year. Israel’s military noted that its aircraft successfully returned after completing missions targeting missile plants and other Iranian military assets, which, according to the Israeli military, had posed a significant threat to national security.

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