### Israeli Airstrike Hits Northern Lebanon Apartment, Causing 21 Fatalities

BEIRUT (AP) – A devastating Israeli airstrike on Monday targeted an apartment building in northern Lebanon, resulting in at least 21 deaths, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The incident occurred in the village of Aito, far removed from the usual Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon. The Israeli military has not issued an immediate comment, and the intended target remains unclear.

Videos from Lebanese media depicted a large plume of smoke rising from the hilly village of Aito, where multiple cars were destroyed and a building was extensively damaged. Rescue efforts were underway as people attempted to retrieve bodies from beneath the rubble and trees.

This airstrike followed a deadly Hezbollah drone assault on an army base in northern Israel on Sunday, which left four 19-year-old soldiers dead and severely injured seven others. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the base and the wounded soldiers, promising relentless strikes against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon.

The ongoing conflict has seen significant casualties on both sides. Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets, missiles, and drones into Israel over the past year, causing more than 60 fatalities. Conversely, Israeli strikes have killed approximately 2,300 people in Lebanon since last October, with the vast majority of these deaths occurring in the past month, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Hezbollah has committed to continuing its attacks on Israel until a cease-fire is established in Gaza. Israel maintains its military campaign aims to prevent Hezbollah attacks, allowing displaced Israelis to safely return to their homes near the Lebanon border.

In related events, an Israeli airstrike hit a hospital courtyard in Gaza earlier on Monday, killing at least four people and triggering a fire that engulfed a tent camp for those displaced by the war. This strike targeted militants allegedly hiding among civilians, according to the Israeli military.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, which began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Women and children constitute more than half of the Palestinian fatalities. Nearly 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have faced displacement due to the ongoing war.

The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for the northern third of Gaza, home to about 400,000 residents, without allowing food supplies into the region since early October. This has raised concerns about potential forced transfers, an act that rights groups argue would violate international law.

On Monday, in an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, the Israeli military allowed 30 trucks carrying flour and food to enter north Gaza. Rights groups continue to urge the international community to prevent any actions that may lead to further humanitarian violations in the region.