Tensions in the Middle East are at their peak right now. Israel is fighting a war on many fronts amidst the US’s ceasefire efforts. On one side there is a continuous war with Hamas in Gaza, and on the other side with Hezbollah in Lebanon. In the latest development, Hezbollah carried out a series of attacks on Israel on Wednesday. More than 50 rockets were fired towards Israel, destroying thousands of houses. People are scared and frightened amid the sounds of sirens.
Hezbollah has launched rocket attacks near civilian populations in two major Israeli cities, Katzrin and Golan Heights. The IDF says that thousands of families and civilians have been targeted in this attack. People have come to these cities to celebrate summer holidays, and they are being targeted and attacked. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel launched a massive attack in the port city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, in which one person died.
Apart from this, Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley were bombed overnight. Israel has regularly bombed Hezbollah fighters and rocket launch sites in south Lebanon. More than 600 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict began last October, including more than 400 Hezbollah fighters and 132 civilians. Hezbollah has also been carrying out attacks since the war against Hamas began in Gaza.
Hamas says that America is working under the pressure of Israel. Israel has added new conditions in the proposal, which we do not accept. In fact, Hamas wants to discuss the proposal presented by President Biden in May. Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official, said, “There is no doubt that an attempt is being made to sow the seeds of optimism, as was seen after the meeting in Doha, but I do not think it is serious, rather the opposite.”
On the other hand, after the meeting in Doha regarding the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza remained inconclusive, efforts have once again intensified. Regarding this, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Hamas to accept the proposal. Hamas did not participate in the talks in Qatar last week. Therefore, the talks stopped without any result. This time too, Hamas is not affected. Hamas has once again condemned the US proposal.
The US Secretary of State met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for three hours on Sunday. He said that this is the last chance for the release of the hostages. Netanyahu has also described the talks with Blinken as very positive. The second phase of the ceasefire deal is to be held in Cairo, Egypt this week. For this, the Israeli delegation has left for Egypt. The war is still going on amidst the ceasefire efforts.