The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis, described a state of “widespread panic” across the country following evacuation orders. Beirut residents detailed the chaos as they fled their homes before intense blasts hit. Many fled their homes after hearing about the evacuation orders, even though some areas were not ultimately targeted. Al-Qard Al-Hassan, under U.S. sanctions since 2007 for its ties to Hezbollah, was hit by Israeli airstrikes, marking an escalation in the conflict. The Israeli military also continued its offensive in northern Gaza, where dozens of people were killed in airstrikes. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to end the fighting but admitted to having no direct contact with Hezbollah. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and displacements in both Lebanon and Gaza, with the situation remaining volatile. The IDF reported ongoing operations in Gaza to target militants and dismantle infrastructure. The continued violence underscores the urgent need for diplomacy to achieve a lasting resolution and end the suffering of civilians in the region.
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Israeli attacks target Lebanese banks to weaken Hezbollah’s financial resources
