27 Sep 2024
Israel dismisses international ceasefire calls amid ongoing bombing campaign that has killed over 700 in Lebanon since Monday. Despite Israel’s rejection, the White House claims its ceasefire proposal was “coordinated” with Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed support for Israel, highlighting an $8.7 billion military aid package and dismissing concerns over "red lines" in Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Gaza officials condemned Israel’s treatment of Palestinian bodies, after 88 unidentifiable remains were returned.
In Gaza, at least 41,534 people have died, with 96,092 injured. In Israel, 1,139 were killed in the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, with over 200 held captive.
**Editor’s Picks: Key Reads and Videos Right Now**
Here are some top highlights from our recent coverage of the wars in Lebanon and Gaza:
- **News**: *'A Nightmare'* – Lebanese Americans anxious as Israel strikes their homeland
- **Watch**: Can Israel afford another war with Lebanon?
- **Photos**: Deadly Israeli assault in the occupied West Bank
- **News**: Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and AJ+ win Emmy for Gaza war documentary
**Amid Israel’s Military Momentum, Ceasefire Hopes Dwindle**
Harvard scholar Majid Rafizadeh expressed doubts about a diplomatic resolution to Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon, citing Israel’s determination to weaken groups like Hezbollah. Despite international calls for peace, he noted the conflict’s complexity, involving numerous factions and governments, which raises the risk of regional escalation.
**Blinken Warns Israel Over Escalation**
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that intensifying Israel's attacks on Lebanon could delay the return of civilians to border areas. This follows Israel’s rejection of a U.S.-France-led ceasefire proposal.
**Lebanon Calls for Immediate Ceasefire at UN**
Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, called for a ceasefire at the UN General Assembly, condemning Israel’s destruction of Lebanese border villages and warning that the conflict threatens regional stability.
**One Killed in Israeli Strike on Al-Aqsa Hospital**
Israeli forces bombed tents housing displaced people at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza, killing one and injuring several others. Earlier, two disabled children and their parents were killed in an Israeli strike in the Jabalia refugee camp.
**French National Killed in Southern Lebanon Explosion**
An 87-year-old French woman was killed when her building collapsed after a nearby explosion in southern Lebanon, amid heavy Israeli bombings. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the tragic incident.
Israel's bombing campaign has claimed over 700 lives in Lebanon since Monday, with 92 deaths in the last 24 hours alone.
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