Hezbollah Launches Rocket and Drone Attacks on Northern Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict

Hezbollah has intensified its military actions against northern Israel, firing over 50 rockets and deploying drones that struck homes in the Golan Heights, resulting in one injury. This escalation occurred shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meetings with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, aimed at addressing the ongoing violence in Gaza. Despite these diplomatic efforts, both Hamas and Israel have dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire, with Hamas officials expressing dissatisfaction with U.S. promises that lack guarantees. The situation is further complicated by accusations from relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, who claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undermining potential ceasefire negotiations. They allege that Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining Israeli troop presence in the Philadelphi corridor has introduced unacceptable conditions for Hamas. While Netanyahu has denied these claims, reports from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz suggest that an anonymous official believes he is attempting to sabotage any agreement. Hamas has criticized the latest U.S. proposal as a "reversal" of prior agreements, asserting that it reflects new Israeli conditions. The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, while the conflict with Hezbollah has claimed nearly 600 lives in Lebanon, predominantly among Hezbollah fighters, but also including at least 130 civilians. The Golan Heights, captured by Israel from Syria in 1967 and later annexed, remains a contentious area, with the U.S. being the only nation to recognize the annexation, while the international community views it as occupied territory.