Israeli Airstrikes Kill 16 in Gaza

An underground complex in Rafah, southern Gaza, has been destroyed as part of ongoing military operations, which have resulted in the deaths of 16 Palestinians from airstrikes. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital received the casualties, including a woman and three children, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on civilians. This escalation coincides with increased cross-border missile attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising concerns about a broader Middle Eastern conflict. In northern Israel, heightened alertness persists as fears grow of large-scale missile strikes from Hezbollah, particularly following the Israeli military's assassination of a senior commander. Over the past day, Hezbollah has retaliated with numerous rocket launches targeting the occupied Golan Heights, while Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah weapon storage facilities in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The Lebanese health ministry reported one fatality and 30 injuries from these exchanges. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations reporting that Israeli evacuation orders have displaced 90% of the territory's 2.1 million residents since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October. Civilians are fleeing under perilous conditions, facing shortages of medical care, shelter, and essential supplies. The UN official emphasized the urgent need for civilian protection, hostage release, humanitarian access, and a ceasefire. Since the conflict began, Israeli military actions have resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, with approximately 110 hostages believed to remain in Gaza. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further loss of life and humanitarian crises.