Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike on a neighborhood in Lebanon's southern city of Tyre on October 23, 2024. — AFP
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for a ceasefire between Israel and militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah on Wednesday, but intense Israeli air strikes on the historic Lebanese port city of Tyre showed no signs of abating. Israel began bombing the UNESCO-listed port city of Tyre about three hours after issuing an online evacuation order for central areas. Massive clouds of thick smoke rose above residential buildings.
Tens of thousands of people had already left Tyre in recent weeks as Israel intensified its campaign to eliminate Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, both allies of Iran. The port is usually a bustling hub for the south, with fishermen, tourists, and even UN peacekeepers on leave from border deployments spending time by the sea. However, Israel's evacuation orders this week for the city included large parts of it for the first time, extending up to its ancient castle.
Some Lebanese fear their country will end up like Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed much of the small enclave. In Gaza, where Israel has intensified its assault on the northern edge of the territory since killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week, health authorities reported at least 20 people killed in fresh Israeli strikes, mostly in the north.
Blinken, who has frequently traveled to the Middle East since the outbreak of the war, is making his first trip since Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whom Washington hopes will provide momentum for peace. The secretary of state's trip is the last major US peace push before the November 5 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, which could reshape US policy in the region.
Washington is also trying to prevent the conflict from escalating further in anticipation of Israeli retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on October 1, launched in solidarity with Hezbollah and Hamas. Blinken said on Wednesday that Israel's retaliation should not lead to greater escalation.
After meeting Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken traveled to regional power and close US ally Saudi Arabia, where he met Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. A stop in Jordan was postponed, but Blinken is expected to meet other Arab leaders in London.
In Lebanon, Israel's military said it had killed three Hezbollah commanders and about 70 fighters in the south in the past 48 hours, a day after confirming it had killed Hashem Safieddine, the militant group's heir apparent leader. Blinken said it was time for Israel to capitalize on its military victories and "turn those successes into an enduring strategic success." "The focus needs to be on getting the hostages home, ending this war, and having a clear plan for what follows."
Since Hamas-led fighters rampaged through Israeli towns a year ago, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, Israel has devastated the Gaza Strip to eradicate Hamas, killing nearly 43,000 Palestinians. Last week, Israel killed Sinwar, suspected mastermind of the October 7, 2023, attacks. Over the past month, it has also dramatically escalated its war in Lebanon against Hezbollah, a separate Iran-backed militant group that had attacked Israel in support of the Palestinians. Israel has launched a ground offensive and killed most of Hezbollah's leadership in air strikes that have displaced 1.2 million people.
Washington views the death of Sinwar as an opportunity to push for peace, as it would now be easier for Netanyahu and his far-right government to argue that major goals have been achieved in Gaza. But Gaza residents say that since Sinwar's death, Israel has only intensified its assault on northern areas where it says Hamas fighters are regrouping.
Hospitals have ceased functioning and were running out of coffins and shrouds for the dead. An emergency UN-backed polio vaccination campaign, launched after a Gaza baby was paralyzed by the disease for the first time in 25 years, was halted. "We call on the world, which has failed to provide protection and shelter for our people and has been unable to deliver food and medicine, to make an effort to send shrouds for our fallen," the Gaza health ministry said in a statement.
Blinken said new formulations were being examined in an effort to win freedom for hostages held in Gaza and bring an end to the war. Still, there has been no sign of a letup in fighting. Hamas says it will not free scores of hostages it is still holding without an Israeli promise to end the war in Gaza. Israel says it will not stop fighting in Gaza until Hamas is annihilated, and in Lebanon until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat.
Diplomats say Israel is pressing its military advantage to secure a strong position before a new US administration takes office following the November 5 election. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Wednesday one of its staff members was killed when a UNRWA vehicle was hit in Deir Al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Medics said the man's brother was also killed. The municipality of Gaza City said two city workers were killed and three others wounded in a strike there.
In Lebanon, Israel's offensive has driven at least 1.2 million Lebanese from their homes and killed 2,530 people, including at least 63 over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese government said on Tuesday.
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