Hizbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has vowed to continue attacks on Israel as long as the war in Gaza is ongoing. Nasrallah said on Saturday that his group has “upgraded” its attacks with new weapons and diversified targets within Israel. He stated that the front against Israel will remain active, emphasizing that “time” and “patience” were on Hizbollah’s side.
Despite recent threats from Israeli officials, Nasrallah declared that Hizbollah would consider all possibilities in its fight with Israel, hinting at the prospect of a full-scale confrontation including forces in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. He also commended the attacks against Israel and US troops stationed in the region by Iran-backed Shia militias and the Houthis in Yemen.
Israel faced mounting pressure from western allies to end civilian casualties in Gaza as its offensive forced most hospitals to suspend operations. French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire, urging Israel to stop harming civilians. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, criticized Israel for the killing of Palestinians, while UN reports indicated that several hospitals in Gaza suffered direct hits. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu maintained that leaders should be condemning Hamas, not Israel, for the harm to civilians.
In response to the escalating conflict, Arab and Muslim leaders met in Saudi Arabia to support Gaza, calling for the breaking of the siege and immediate humanitarian aid to the region. Meanwhile, Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital had to suspend operations due to a lack of fuel, and a number of other hospitals were forced to close as a result of the violence.
Overall, the conflict has resulted in significant deaths and a major humanitarian crisis, with Israeli officials stating that their actions are a response to Hamas using hospitals as bases. Yet, Hamas has denied these allegations.
Robert Mardini, the director-general of the Red Cross, expressed shock and horror at the devastation in Shifa. The Palestinian Authority health minister in Gaza reported that 39 babies at the hospital were at risk due to lack of electricity, oxygen, and medicines. Mohamed Abu Silmeyeh, director of the hospital, stated that due to power outages, surgery theatres were closed, and one infant had already died in the incubator. Amid the ongoing conflict, it is evident that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, emphasizing the urgency for an immediate ceasefire.
Additional reporting by Samer Al-Atrush
