Intense Bombing in Beirut Amid Ongoing Conflict
On the evening of October 23, 2024, intense Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, a known Hezbollah stronghold. Reports indicate that 17 airstrikes were conducted, resulting in significant destruction of buildings and a massive explosion, marking the most severe bombings in the area since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah a month prior. The bombings also extended to Tyre, a major coastal city in southern Lebanon, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of potential escalations from Hezbollah that could surpass the attacks witnessed on October 7, 2023, by Hamas from Gaza.
International Conference in Paris to Support Lebanon
In response to the escalating situation in Lebanon, an international conference is set to take place in Paris on October 24, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron is spearheading this initiative, aiming to mobilize at least $400 million in humanitarian aid for the Lebanese population affected by the ongoing conflict. The conference will gather over 70 participants, including Lebanese officials and foreign ministers from Germany, Canada, and the European Union, though notably, neither Israel nor Iran will be present, limiting the potential for diplomatic progress. The three main objectives of the conference include promoting a diplomatic resolution, mobilizing humanitarian aid, and supporting the Lebanese armed forces to maintain the country's stability and sovereignty.
