Hezbollah carries out a record number of daily operations against Israel: Day 250 of the Gaza war

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More than 8,000 children under the age of five have been treated in the Gaza Strip for acute malnutrition, and 28 have died, the World Health Organization has revealed.

“Despite reports of increased food deliveries, there is currently no evidence that those most in need are receiving food in sufficient quantity and quality,” stressed WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing in Geneva.

In a report published today, a UN inquiry commission said that Israel is responsible for crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, including “extermination.” In one of the points in the report, the commission stated, among other things, that Israel is applying to Gaza the “Dahiyeh Doctrine” (named after the southern suburb of Beirut), which it implemented in Lebanon in July 2006.

“The Commission investigated several large-scale attacks against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip that demonstrate the use of this doctrine, and documented dozens of other attacks, including against aid organizations, convoys and refuge sites,” read the report. In many cases, the commission was unable to identify military targets as being at the heart of the attacks. Even when military targets were allegedly present, the attacks lacked distinction, proportionality and precautions, leaving thousands dead and wounded and destroying entire neighborhoods, notably in Jabaliya, Rimal, Yarmouk and Maghazi."

This “Dahiyeh Doctrine” was drawn up in 2006 by General Gadi Eisenkot, former chief of staff of the Israeli army. The result: After four weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, many neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut, as well as almost all the towns in southern Lebanon, were devastated. At the time, the damage was estimated at some 3.5 billion dollars, including 1.5 billion to rebuild public infrastructure (notably bridges) destroyed by the Israelis throughout most of Lebanon.

Israeli artillery fire hit residential areas in Houla (Marjayoun) as well as the outskirts of the village, on the Mais al-Jabal side, where a fire broke out due to phosphorus shells.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against Israel:

- The party claimed to have targeted at 5 p.m. Israeli artillery positions and soldiers gathered at Khirbet Maar, opposite the Lebanese border village of Boustan (Sour), in response to the Israeli strike on Jwaya.

- At 5:30 p.m., it also attacked the Hanita site opposite Alma al-Chaab (Sour).

- At 5:35 p.m., Hezbollah also successfully targeted the Jal al-Alam site, opposite the Lebanese village of Labbouneh (Sour).

- At 5:40 p.m., it also targeted the Birket Richa site with Burkan missiles, also in retaliation for the Israeli attack on Jwaya last night.

The party launched 17 operations against Israel today, a record number since the start of the war, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.

Here are the latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- Israeli jets carried out two strikes targeting the village of Talousseh and the outskirts of Markaba and Houla (Marjayoun), a security source told L'Orient Today's correspondent. A house was targeted in Tallousseh. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

- The Israeli strike on a house in the village of Yater (Bint Jbeil) left one person injured and hospitalized.

The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, claimed that the Israeli air force targeted “two missile platforms” belonging to Hezbollah in Taybeh and Rashaya al-Foukhar (Marjayoun), which were used to launch shells towards northern Israel this morning.

According to the troops, around 160 projectiles were fired from southern Lebanon into Israeli territory in two successive barrages, causing alarm sirens to go off in many Israeli localities, without however “causing any casualties.” Several fires were caused by Hezbollah fire, the spokesperson added.

An agreement in Gaza would “enormously” reduce tensions between Israel and Lebanon, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken quoted by AFP at a press conference in Doha with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abderrahmane Al-Thani.

“I think this gap can be bridged,” the US official added, however. “That doesn't mean it will be bridged, because ultimately it's Hamas that will have to decide,” he was also keen to stress. “The longer this goes on, the more people will suffer, and it's time to stop haggling,” he added.

The recent Israeli airstrike on the village of Yater (Bint Jbeil) targeted a house that was destroyed, a security source told L'Orient Today's correspondent. One wounded man was transferred to hospital for treatment.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said from Doha that some of Hamas's demands are “achievable,” but not all, reports AFP. The US will work to “conclude the agreement” on a cease-fire, and will present “concrete” proposals for the post-war period in the coming weeks, he added.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, said there is a “clear and firm call” to end the war in Gaza, Reuters reports.

“We are witnessing an evolution of this conflict lately and there is a clear and firm call to end this war,” he said at a press conference in Doha with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

More than 37,202 Palestinians have been killed and 84,932 wounded in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, Gaza's Ministry of Health said in a statement quoted by AFP. At least 38 people have been killed in the last 24 hours, the ministry added.

Update on the situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border:

- At 2:15 pm, Hezbollah claimed to have successfully targeted an Israeli army base in Malikiyeh, located across the Lebanese village of Aita el-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district).

- Israeli warplanes hit the village of Yater (Bint Jbeil district).

The Israeli army says it eliminated Taleb Abdallah, “commander of the Nasr unit of Hezbollah” last night, in a statement posted on X. The operation that killed him “was part of a strike on a Hezbollah command and control center in the Jwayya region that was used to direct terrorist attacks against Israel in recent months,” the army said.

Taleb Abdallah was “one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders in southern Lebanon,” the text read, adding that three other Hezbollah “terrorist agents” were also eliminated during this operation.

The Lebanese Civil Defense Scouts of al-Rissala (affiliated with Nabih Berri's Amal movement) told our correspondent that they had taken part in the fire extinguishing operations following Israeli white phosphorus bombardments near Odaisseh and Kfar Kila (Marjayoun district).

Hamas wants written guarantees from the U.S. that ensure a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip before they agree to sign a U.S.-backed truce proposal, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters.

Anti-tank missiles were fired at the Meron army camp in northern Israel, where an air control base is located, the Israeli army reported to Haaretz. The Israeli army is currently assessing if any damage was sustained. This comes after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack on an air control unit at the Meron base.

Additionally, the army confirmed that a factory in Kibbutz Sasa was struck by an anti-tank missile. 

Hamas extended condolences to Hezbollah after the death of one of its senior commanders, Taleb Abdallah. The Palestinian movement stated that this event would lead to "more resistance and sacrifices."

"We affirm that this precious blood will be a curse that haunts this occupation and its fascist army, and will inspire our people and nation to more resistance and sacrifices, paving the way for the liberation of the land and holy places," the statement read.

(Credit: Matthieu Karam/OLJ)

Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters gathered this afternoon at the Ashoura complex in the southern suburbs of Beirut for the funeral of the Hezbollah military commander "Abu Taleb" who was killed in an Israeli strike yesterday.

"We will strengthen and intensify our operations in response. Our enemy will know who the sons of the Resistance in Lebanon are," said Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, who spoke at the event.

"Today, we bid farewell to a brother who died in jihad," he added, "He was always destined for martyrdom, it is natural that he was targeted."

Supporters chanted "labbayka ya Hussein" (at your service, Hussein) and "labbayka ya Nasrallah," referring to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah.

The latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- An Israeli attack targeted the vicinity of Markaba (Marjayoun district), residents reported to our correspondent in the area. An Israeli drone launched a missile at the village square, injuring a paramedic from the Islamic Health Committee, affiliated with Hezbollah. His injuries are minor, according to local and medical sources.

- Residents also indicated that white phosphorus shells struck Halta and the surrounding areas of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya district).

Israeli army officials told Haaretz that the government has not yet decided to launch an extensive military strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Instead, they plan to conduct targeted killings and strikes on the group's senior commanders and central compounds.

The sources added that the IDF does not expect Hezbollah's retaliation to reach the northern Israeli city of Haifa, as Taleb Abdallah's killing occurred in the southern Lebanon region of Sour, not in Beirut or any other strategic location.

A fire broke out in the Kadita settlement in Upper Galilee due to strikes launched from Lebanon, Haaretz reported.

Authorities are working to extinguish the spreading flames, which have reached several houses and buildings in the settlement. Concurrently, the armed forces are mobilizing to quell the fires in the Biriya Forest and Mount Meron. A fire near Kibbutz Amiad in northern Israel has been contained.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a series of diplomatic meetings today at the Grand Serail in Beirut to discuss the security situation in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as efforts to end the Israeli aggression in southern Lebanon.

He met with over twenty European representatives in Lebanon, including French Ambassador Herve Magro and EU Ambassador Sandra de Waal; both ambassadors expressed their countries' support for Lebanon and addressed the issue of Syrian refugees.

Updates from southern Lebanon continued:

Israeli artillery, reportedly using white phosphorus, targeted the village of Odaisseh Marjayoun, according to residents contacted by our correspondent in the region. Other strikes also hit the surroundings of Hanine and Ain Ebel (Bint Jbeil district).

An Israeli airstrike targeted an area between Deir Siryan and Taybeh (Marjayoun) before targeting the outskirts of Markaba (Marjayoun).

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on his X account that Israeli airstrikes targetted a "missile platform" and "four Hezbollah infrastructures" in the Yater (Bint Jbeil) "from where rockets were fired earlier in the day."

Hezbollah claimed an attack on "spy installations at the Ruwaysat al-Alam site," located in the disputed hills of Kfarshouba.

The Israeli army stated on X that about 160 projectile missiles were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel this morning. "Several landed in various areas, causing fires, and a number were intercepted," it said without further details.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee also noted that some of the missiles "caused fires in several regions" of northern Israel. He added that approximately "70 missiles" were fired from Lebanon. No injuries were reported, he said.

He added, "An aircraft attacked the area of Yaroun in southern Lebanon, targeting a platform used to launch shells, around 10 a.m."

Updates on southern Lebanon continued: 

⚡️ Hezbollah announces the death of one of its fighters, Bahij Hijazi, born in 1981 and from Haris (Nabatieh district) in southern Lebanon. He was injured "a few days ago" in an Israeli strike and succumbed to his injuries today, according to the party.

This brings the total number of Hezbollah members killed by Israel in Lebanon and Syria since October 8 to 344, according to our count.

Here are the latest developments at the Lebanese-Israeli border:

- Hezbollah claims to have attacked two Israeli sites at 10:35 by artillery shells. One targeted Ramiya, opposite the Lebanese Ramaya (Bint Jbeil district); the other targeted Raheb, facing Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil).

- The party claimed another attack in retaliation for the Israeli strike on Jwayya, which targeted the Israeli barracks of Zarit, opposite Naqoura (Sour).

- An Israeli airstrike targeted the surroundings of Zebqin and Shihine, both in Sour district.

Other Hezbollah attacks that happened earlier this morning, each carried out with "dozens of Katyusha missiles" and artillery shells:

- First, against the headquarters of the “northern corps," located at the Ain Zeitim base.


- Another, against the headquarters of the reserve of the same unit, located in Ami'ad.


- And the last one, against the headquarters of its air control unit, situated in the Meron base.


Hezbollah also claimed another operation — its seventh since this morning — targeting the Sammaka site, located in the disputed hills of Kfarshouba.

The party stated that these attacks were in retaliation for yesterday's Israeli strike on Jwayya (Sour) — which resulted in the deaths of four Hezbollah fighters, including a high-ranking commander, Taleb Abdallah, as well as "two civilian injuries."

Here are the developments from southern Lebanon earlier this morning: 

Hezbollah claimed numerous attacks this morning, following last night's Israeli attack on Jwayya — which killed one of its commanders and three other fighters.

- In a statement, Hezbollah announced that it had launched several missiles toward the site of Ruwaiset al-Qarn, located near the Shebaa farms — a disputed territory — around 9:30 a.m.

- The statement adds that the fighters also targeted another disputed territory, the Kfarshouba hills, "causing direct injuries."

- Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a third attack using “guided missiles” against a military factory “specializing in armoring and protecting enemy army vehicles,” located in Sasa, opposite the Lebanese village of Rmeish

The Lebanese Civil Defense Scouts of al-Rissala (affiliated with Nabih Berri’s Amal movement) carried out operations to remove rubble and extinguish some fires after last night's devastating Israeli attack on Jwayya (Sour), which killed an important Hezbollah commander and three other fighters, reported our correspondent in southern Lebanon. The wounded were transferred to a local hospital.

Here's the latest from southern Lebanon this morning:

- Israeli artillery targeted the villages of Rshaf and Tiri (Bint Jbeil district) shortly after 9 a.m.


- An Israeli drone targeted the vicinity of Blida (Marjayoun) and Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil).


- Israeli artillery fire targeted Tayr Harfa, Jibbein, Zebqin, all in Sour district, and Beit Lif (Bint Jbeil).


Israel accused the UN commission of inquiry of "systematic discrimination" following its determination that Israeli authorities are "responsible" for crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The UN's actions show "a political agenda against Israel," stated Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Meirav Shahar.

In a report released today, UN investigators have accused Israel and seven “Palestinian armed groups,” including Hamas, in a report of committing war crimes since Oct. 7.

"It is imperative that all those who have committed crimes be held accountable," stated Navi Pillay in a press release. Pillay chairs the commission of inquiry established by the Human Rights Council in May 2021.

The report carries no penalties but offers a legal analysis of the war in Gaza — likely to be considered by the International Court of Justice.

So far, Israel has not cooperated with the UN's investigation and repeatedly protested the commission's assessments.

“We have faced not merely a lack of cooperation but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims,” said Chris Sidoti, one of the three commission members, during a briefing for diplomats in Geneva earlier in April.

Here are the updates on the developments in southern Lebanon overnight:

In addition to the strike on Jwayya (Sour district), the Israeli army targeted several Lebanese villages overnight:

• Around 9:30 p.m., artillery fire targeted residences in Shihine (Sour).

• Flares were fired towards the vicinity of Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil). The latter village was also hit by several artillery rounds, as were Tayr Harfa, Zebqine, Yarine, and Jibbein, all in Sour district.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for two operations "in retaliation for Israeli aggression:”

• Dozens of Katyusha missiles were launched towards the Israeli site of Gashr Hazif, in northern Israel.

• Shots were fired at the Israeli site of Birket Riche, facing the Lebanese village of Boustan (Sour). According to a Hezbollah statement, the attack resulted in "one fatality and one injury" on the Israeli side.

Hamas sources informed Haaretz that the movement has accepted the broad outlines of the cease-fire and hostage agreement proposed by Biden, as well as the UN Security Council’s decision.

According to Hamas, "Israel is the one not accepting the proposal, and the U.S. is the one evading it." The sources added that Hamas has communicated its comments and demands to mediators, which should form the basis of the potential agreement.

"If there is a willingness to move forward and end the war, particularly from the U.S., an agreement can be reached," they told Haaretz.

- The Israeli army continued to strike Gaza early this morning — following Tuesday's deadly shelling in eastern Deir al-Balah and easter al-Boureij, where the army said it had “conducted an operation.”

- In the occupied West Bank, an Israeli army raid on a village near the town of Jenin killed six Palestinians, announced the Ministry of Health and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Hamas said it “mourns the martyrs” of Jenin.

A senior Hezbollah military commander, Taleb Abdallah, was killed in an Israeli strike on the village of Jwayya (Sour district) last night. Abdallah was identified in a Hezbollah statement. Known as Abu Taleb, he was born in 1969 and originally from Adsheet (Marjayoun district). According to a Lebanese military source cited by AFP, this commander is "the most senior Hezbollah member to have been killed" since the beginning of the conflict.

The other members killed are Mohammad Sabra, born in 1973 and originally from Haddatha (Bint Jbeil district), Ali Soufane, born in 1971 and originally from Jwayya, and Hussein Hamayed, born in 1980 and originally from Bint Jbeil. The Israeli strike directly targeted the home of Ali Soufane in Jwayya. 

Due to this deadly strike shortly before 9:30 p.m., exams scheduled for this morning in private and public schools had to be postponed to Thursday.

"The horror must stop," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an international conference in Jordan, yesterday. The conference aimed to mobilize funds for humanitarian aid in the besieged territory, which is deprived of water and electricity. Also, the UN expressed concern about the risk of famine.

 "It's high time for a cease-fire and the unconditional release of the hostages," Guterres added, calling on "all parties to seize the opportunity" provided by the new American roadmap.

Antony Blinken stressed that Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the cease-fire plan announced by Biden at the end of May and adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday.

The first phase of the plan calls for a six-week cease-fire, accompanied by an Israeli withdrawal from densely populated areas of Gaza, and the release of certain hostages and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Blinken described Hamas’s reaction as an “encouraging sign,” noting that the Palestinian movement has said it "welcomed" several elements of the American resolution before giving its official response on Tuesday evening

- The U.S. is "examining" Hamas's response to a cease-fire plan in Gaza, which was promoted this week in the Middle East by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, amid ongoing Israeli strikes in the Palestinian territory, AFP reported.

- The content of Hamas's response has not been disclosed, leading to varied interpretations. Israeli media and the American site Axios — citing Israeli sources — claim that Hamas rejected the plan.

- In response, Hamas leader Izzat al-Rishq issued a brief statement saying the response was "responsible, serious and positive," and that it "opened the way to an agreement."

"The Israeli media's allegations about Hamas's response are attempts to evade Israel's obligations under the agreement," al-Rishq wrote in Arabic, suggesting that Israeli media reports allow Israel to continue its strikes on Gaza.

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