Israel and Hezbollah clashed once again on Monday, with Israel launching strikes on Lebanese villages and Hezbollah responding with exploding drones targeting military surveillance equipment in northern Israel. The fighting comes after Israel preemptively struck southern Lebanon to prevent a major attack by Hezbollah in retaliation for the killing of one of its top commanders last month. The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff met with Israeli defense leaders to discuss the situation and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions to avoid a broader conflict. Meanwhile, Israel extended housing subsidies for evacuees and families of hostages, showing no immediate end to the war. The conflict has also hampered food aid deliveries in Gaza, with U.N. agencies only able to provide about half of the food required due to Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting. Iran’s foreign minister vowed “definitive” retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Amidst the conflict, polio vaccines have been delivered to Gaza to combat the first confirmed case of the disease in the territory in 25 years. Humanitarian efforts are being challenged by the ongoing unrest and fighting in the region. Overall, the situation remains tense, with fears of a broader, more deadly conflict looming.
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Latest developments in Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel carries out additional strikes on Lebanon, according to state media and witnesses
