Israeli arstrike hits Gaza mosque killing 19 amid escalating conflict

An Israeli attack on a mosque in the Gaza Strip early Sunday killed at least 19 people according to Palestinian sources The strike comes as Israel intensifies its shelling of northern Gaza and southern Beirut amid a growing confrontation with Iranbacked militant groups in the regionNearly a year after the October 7 incident Israel is still fighting Hamas in Gaza as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon with whom it has exchanged fire along the border since the Gaza conflict started Following Irans ballistic missile attack on Israel last week the nation has committed to retaliate immediately against Iran reported the Associated PressAccording to the report thisescalating war risks involving the United States which has supplied critical military and diplomatic backing to Israel as well as USallied Arab nations that host American personnel Iranbacked organisations in Syria Iraq and Yemen have also launched longrange strikes against IsraelStrikes Across Gaza and New Evacuation OrdersThe strike targeted a mosque in Gaza where displaced residents took refuge near a hospital in Deir alBalah Israeli soldiers claimed they bombed a Hamas command hub embedded among civilians but gave no proof to back up their allegation An Associated Press writer counted 19 deaths in the AlAqsa Martyrs Hospital mortuary all of whom were men with one reportedly injured the AP report statedPer the news agency reportIsraeli soldiers also began a new air and ground offensive in Jabaliya a highly populated refugee camp in northern Gaza Israeli soldiers have frequently attacked Jabaliya only for the militants to regroup In anticipation of more conflict Israel has issued additional evacuation orders for northern Gaza ordering civilians to go south into designated humanitarian zones Despite this up to 300000 civilians remain in the area living in horrible conditionsThe Israeli military reported that it had encircled Jabaliya with aeroplanes striking insurgent positions ahead of a ground assault Leaflets were distributed informing people that the region is now a dangerous combat zone Despite the development of humanitarian zones many civilians remain trapped in the fighting with strikes hitting residential buildings throughout northern Gaza the Associated Press report statedGazas death toll has risen to nearly 42000 according to the Palestinian Health Ministry Many of the victims were women and children Hamas militants killed over 1200 people during their October 7 attack on Israel and continue to hold 100 captives some of whom are believed to be deadHeavy Bombardment of Southern BeirutIsraeli airstrikes illuminated Beiruts night sky with explosions reverberating throughout the southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh Israels strikes apparently targeted Hezbollah positions including a building near Beiruts international airport and a facility previously used by Hezbollahs AlManar television stationIsraels military said it had launched strikes on sites near Beirut claiming that approximately 30 missiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory Hezbollah claimed to have successfully hit Israeli forces in northern Israel with a large rocket salvo However it has not been independently verified the AP report addedSince the conflict began at least 1400 people have died in Lebanon including civilians medics and Hezbollah fighters and more than a million have been displaced Israel has claimed that its goal is to force Hezbollah back from its border allowing thousands of Israeli citizens to return home The ongoing battle between Israel and Hezbollah is the worst since the 2006 warIran has also threatened more punishment with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi claiming that efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon are ongoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the other hand has reiterated Israels right to selfdefence threatening to resume airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon