Israel Steps Up Strikes Killing Dozens in Lebanon & Gaza While Netanyahu, Trump Speak

Deir al-Balah: Amid continued calls for de-escalation of Israel-Hamas conflict, dozens of people lost ir lives in Israeli airstrikes in Leban and isolated rrn Gaza on Sunday. This comes as world watches closely how victory of Donald Trump in US election can possibly change course of war as he claimed earlier. conflict of Jewish state with Iran-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, has generated a spillover effect in Middle East.

In latest, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has spoken three times with Donald Trump since vember 5 US elections and y “see eye-to-eye regarding Iranian threat and all of its components”.

Furr, Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, is scheduled to call on US President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

Israeli airstrike in Leban killed at least 23 people including seven children in Aalmat vill rth of Beirut, far from areas in east and south where Hezbollah has a major presence. re was Israeli evacuation warning. re was immediate Israeli comment.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles into Israel after war broke out in Gaza, in solidarity with Palestinians and Hamas. Israel retaliated, and a series of escalations have led to all-out war.

In rrn Gaza, an Israeli strike on a home sheltering displaced people in urban refugee camp of Jabaliya killed at least 17 people including nine women, according to Dr. Fel Naim, director of Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City.

Israel's military said it targeted a site where militants were operating, without providing evidence. It said details of strike are under review.

A separate strike hit a house in Gaza City, killing Wael al-Khour, a minister in Hamas-run government, as well as his wife and three children, according to Civil Defence first responders who operate under government.

Israel strikes deeper into Leban Israel has struck deeper inside Leban since September, when it killed Hezbollah leer Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. Hezbollah has expanded its rocket fire from rrn to central Israel. fighting has killed over 3,100 people in Leban, according to Health Ministry, and more than 70 people in Israel.

After Israel's strike in Aalmat, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) rth of Beirut, legislator Raed Berro denied that any Hezbollah personnel or assets were in building hit: “Everyone can see, in front of cameras, that what is being pulled from under rubble are women, children and elderly people who have thing to do with weapons or rocket warehouses.” Hassan Ghdaf, who lived next door and was lightly wounded while heing to his balcony with morning coffee, said displaced people were in building.

“I h seen m and got to kw m or day,” Ghdaf said. “y were peaceful. On contrary, y h someone from Lebanese Internal Security Forces that works for state, and we saw ir garb and clos in rubble.” In Syria, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab and Defence Ministry said seven civilians were killed, state news ncy SANA reported. Britain-based opposition war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggested Hezbollah was targeted. Israel did t immediately comment.

Fears of famine in rrn Gaza mid-month deline is approaching for Biden ministration's ultimatum for Israel: Allow more aid into Gaza or risk possible restrictions on US military funding.

Israeli forces have encircled and largely isolated Jabaliya and nearby rrn Gaza towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Haun for past month, allowing only a trickle of humanitarian aid. Experts from a panel that monitors food security say famine is imminent or may alrey be happening.

rrn third of Gaza, including Gaza City, has suffered heaviest destruction of 13-month war. Israel has sent forces back in, saying Hamas has regrouped.

Israeli strikes often kill women and children. military says it only targets militants, whom it accuses of hiding among civilians.

Also on Sunday, Israel's military released what it called foot of Hamas abusing detainees. soundless foot, dated from 2018 to 2020, appears to show hooded detainees chained in stress positions. In some clips, men beat or poke m with batons. It was t possible to independently verify videos, which military said it recovered during operations in Gaza.

Rights groups have long accused Hamas-run government in Gaza and Western-backed Palestinian Authority in occupied West Bank of abusing detainees and violently quashing dissent. Israel has been accused of similar abuses, especially since start of war. Israeli prison authorities say y follow relevant laws and investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

toll of war war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into sourn Israel on October 7, 2023 and killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. Some 100 hosts are still inside Gaza, about a third believed to be de.

Israel's offensive has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities who do t distinguish between civilians and militants in ir count but say over half de were women and children.

Israeli bombardment and ground invasions have left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and displaced around 90 per cent of population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands live in tent camps with few if any services.

Cease-fire talks mediated by United States, Qatar and Egypt have repeatedly stalled, as have parallel efforts by US and ors to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Qatar, a key mediator with Hamas, said Saturday it h suspended its efforts and would resume m when “ parties show ir willingness and seriousness to end brutal war”. 

(With AP inputs)