On the eve of October 7, Hezbollah rockets wounded at least 10 people in Haifa, Israel, while Israel launched overnight airstrikes on Beirut. The attacks occurred one year after a Hamas attack that triggered an escalating crisis in the Middle East. Hezbollah fired missiles towards a military base south of Haifa, as well as towards an area north of the city. The Israeli military intercepted some rockets and downed projectiles aimed at Tiberias. Israel also targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah is headquartered.
This escalation in violence comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas attacks on Israel leading to a severe response from Israel resulting in a high death toll in Gaza. The U.S. has facilitated efforts to evacuate people from the conflict zone, as concerns grow about the possibility of a broader regional conflict. Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, has been intensifying rocket attacks into northern Israel, further exacerbating the situation.
Israeli memorials were held to mark the anniversary of the October 7 attack, with solemn ceremonies and moments of silence observed across the country. Israeli President Isaac Herzog led a ceremony at the site of the Nova Music Festival where many people were killed or kidnapped during the attack. The situation remains tense as efforts are made to negotiate a potential ceasefire and prevent further bloodshed in the region.
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