New Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs on Saturday, following daily attacks over the past week.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has lost contact with a potential successor to its late leader Hassan Nasrallah, a Lebanese security source said.
And the head of Hamas’s military wing in Lebanon was killed in an Israeli airstrike near the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.
Here’s what you need to know:
• New Air Strikes: Israel launched strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, launching several rockets at an area near the airport. The residential area, Hezbollah’s powerhouse, has been the focus of many of Israel’s attacks during its escalating war with the Iran-backed paramilitary group. The Lebanese government says Israel’s extensive bombing campaign has killed more than 1,400 people and created a spiraling humanitarian crisis. According to the Israel Defense Forces, Hezbollah opened fire across the border and fired about 130 missiles into Israeli territory on Saturday.
• Lost contact with key Hezbollah leader: A Lebanese security source told CNN Saturday that the group has not heard from Hashem Safideen since an Israeli strike targeted him in Beirut on Friday. Safuddin is seen as one of the successors to the organization’s highest post after Nasrallah’s assassination.
• Hamas leader killed in North: Hamas confirmed the death of Atala Ali, who it described as the head of the Lebanese branch of its military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, is not believed to have been targeted since the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
• Rallies around the world: Thousands of people rallied in support of the Palestinians on Saturday to mark the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza. Parades are taking place in Paris, Manila, Cape Town and other major cities. In Rome, police fired tear gas at an unauthorized pro-Palestinian demonstration of about 5,000 people after protesters began throwing objects at officers.
• Ground Operations: Israeli forces have so far destroyed more than 2,000 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon – including weapons, military buildings and underground infrastructure – according to a spokesman for the IDF. Israeli officials said on Saturday they were responding to several reports of direct hits on houses and debris in northern Israel following a barrage of rockets fired by Hezbollah.
• Almost a year of war: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is now fighting on seven fronts, nearly a year after the October 7 attacks. While attention has turned to bombing Lebanon, Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes hit northern and central Gaza after Saturday night, reportedly killing many. Israel’s military said the attack targeted Hamas militants in the enclave, where tens of thousands of Palestinians, including thousands of children, have been killed. Hamas, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran, and Israel’s dual conflicts with the groups have deepened fears of a wider regional war.
