Protesters clash with Lebanese security forces on Oct. 18, 2023, outside the US Embassy in Aoukar, Lebanon, during a demonstration in solidarity with the people of Gaza after a strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip killed at least 500 people on Oct. 17, 2023. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP)
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Catch up on our LIVE coverage of Day 11 of the Hamas-Israel war here.
Israel intensified its airstrikes near Lebanon's southern border, killing at least five Hezbollah members while the party claimed to have inflicted injuries and casualties on the Israeli military. "More than 12 missiles fell on the village [of Rmeish]," resident Michel George Hage told L'Orient Today. Kfar Kila, al-Hamames and Aita al-Shabab in South Lebanon were also hit by Israeli fire. An Israeli military spokesperson told Reuters there was an increase in Hezbollah activities near the border. Israel said it bombarded Hezbollah targets overnight Monday to Tuesday, which party-affiliated TV channel al-Manar described as involving white phosphorus and “more than 100 shells” near Dhaira, in South Lebanon. Since the start of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” deadly exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have led to deaths on both sides of the border.
Yesterday evening, at least 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a hospital compound in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike as a "heinous war crime" and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared Wednesday a national day of mourning. The airstrike prompted demonstrations throughout Lebanon, including in Mieh Mieh refugee camp in South Lebanon, Shatila refugee camp in southern Beirut, in Beirut's Martyr's Square and outside both the French and US embassies in the country. Outside the US Embassy, protesters were dispersed with tear gas and water cannons after clashing with security forces. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced three days of mourning and called on "the international community to intervene immediately to stop this massacre." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the attack as "a horrific and unacceptable situation." Qatar, Turkey and Iran also condemned the strike. Prior to the attack, Palestinian government figures estimated that at least 940 children have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, as the war has led to 3,000 deaths in Palestine and 1,400 deaths in Israel. Warnings on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza continued amid an Israeli blockade cutting off electricity, water and food while preventing supplies from entering through the Rafah crossing — the only access point not controlled by Israel.
Canada urged its citizens to leave Lebanon citing a “volatile” situation that might affect commercial aviation, while the US State Department raised its travel alert for Lebanon to "do not travel" and France warned its citizens against travel to the country. Arrivals at the Beirut international airport during the first half of October dropped by almost 23 percent compared to last year. President of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies in Lebanon Jean Abboud told L'Orient Today that fears of the war between Hamas and Israel spilling over into Lebanon had a real impact on air traffic at Beirut international airport. Canada said it has evacuated 1,300 people from the region so far, though it is unclear how many of those nationals were in Lebanon. In her evacuation call, Canadian Foreign Minister Melani Joly said it was unknown how long Canadians could continue to be evacuated by military flights. On Monday, Lebanon's flag carrier Middle East Airlines said it grounded five of its aircraft in Istanbul “as a precautionary measure,” noting that this would not affect its operations or flight schedule.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he is "continuing contacts in Lebanon and abroad to protect the country from the repercussions of the Gaza war." Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, for his part, called for an end to "Israel provocation" during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan affirmed his support for Lebanon and its stability, as had French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna during her visit to Beirut.
US President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Israel today for a visit showing "solidarity." UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he intends to visit Israel this week, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he would consider a visit when actionable objectives for the trip are decided on. The same day, Biden was scheduled to attend a summit hosted by Jordanian King Abdullah II with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Palestinian Authority Leader Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas reportedly canceled his planned meeting with Biden, according to the Associated Press, citing a Palestinian official.
In case you missed it, here’s our must-read story from yesterday: “Oct. 17: Many funerals in one”
Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz