### Israeli Ground Operation Expands as Conflict Intensity Increases in Gaza and Lebanon

The Israeli military has widened its ground operation that began a month ago in northern Gaza, now including portions of Beit Lahiya. According to an Israeli military statement issued Thursday, the expansion follows intelligence indicating the regrouping of Hamas militants in the town, which has been heavily bombarded since the outset of the conflict. The entire northern third of Gaza has been encircled by Israeli forces for over a year now, following an invasion sparked by a deadly Hamas attack.

The initial offensive on Beit Lahiya was part of a broader ground invasion launched following Hamas' intrusion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 250. In response, Israeli military actions have claimed over 43,000 lives in Gaza, with more than half of the deceased reported to be women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. Notably, over 20 people were killed in northern Gaza on Thursday, including five in a targeted raid on a house in Beit Lahiya.

Israel has also been conducting operations in the Jabaliya refugee camp, enforcing severe restrictions on aid and ordering a complete evacuation of northern Gaza. Tens of thousands have fled to Gaza City, adding to the staggering 1.9 million Gaza residents displaced over the past month, as per United Nations estimates. Between 75,000 and 95,000 people are still believed to remain in northern Gaza despite these pressures.

In another significant development, several Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday, targeting areas near Lebanon's only international airport, which Israel claimed housed Hezbollah facilities. This marks a continued escalation in the region as Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group allied with Hamas and backed by Iran, fired into Israel starting October 8, 2023. Since then, the conflict has resulted in over 3,000 deaths and around 13,600 injuries in Lebanon.

One particularly alarming incident reported by Lebanon's state news agency involved an Israeli drone strike on a car at a military checkpoint in Sidon, leading to three fatalities and multiple injuries, including among U.N. peacekeepers. The U.N. peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, confirmed that five of its peacekeepers were lightly injured during the frontline attacks.

The political climate remains highly volatile, with calls for cease-fire negotiations from Hezbollah contingent on the cessation of Israeli aggression. Meanwhile, humanitarian corridors and aid flow remain a point of contention, with the international community urging an increase in aid to the beleaguered Gaza region.

This report underscores the severe humanitarian impact and geopolitical ramifications as the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon intensifies, further destabilizing an already fragile region.