Death toll rises in Lebanon as Israel launches series of airstrikes
The death toll in Beirut has exceeded 300 after Israeli forces launched airstrikes in Lebanon, with at least 1,150 people reported injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The strikes came just hours after the U.S. announced a ceasefire in Iran. Around midday on Wednesday, multiple air raids hit parts of Lebanon, sending residents scrambling for safety as high-rise buildings billowed thick smoke. Hundreds were killed, with more than a thousand others wounded.
Initial figures from the health ministry put the death toll at 203, with over 1,000 injured. But by Friday, authorities said the casualty figure had risen to 303.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not relent in its military operations, ruling out any immediate ceasefire. He reiterated that the objective remains “to secure a historic and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”
“There is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” BBC News cited a statement from the prime minister’s office on Friday. “We continue to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.”
Mr Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to contradict U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Israel might scale back its attacks.
“I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” Mr Trump told NBC News on Friday.
The U.S. president also sent Vice President J.D. Vance to Pakistan for talks aimed at negotiating peace with Tehran. Mr Trump said Iran was was acceding to U.S.’s demands.
Iranian officials were “agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to,” Mr Trump said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Hot news Home top
Tinubu will win re-election in 2027 easily, Wike boasts
Mr Wike stated, ““2023 election was a tough one for him. Nobody knew what the government at the time was trying to do, and even governors were afraid.”
States
NBA urges Kaduna govt to extend interventions in judiciary to lower courts
Mr Aliyu commended the governor for providing 40 official vehicles to judges of the High Court, Shari’ah Court of Appeal, and Customary Court of Appeal.
Heading 1
Wike orders demolition of houses blocking drainage channels after flood overruns Abuja
Mr Wike stated, “We will demolish all those houses found on the water channels. Some of them are (owned by) senators. Some of them are (owned by) big men.
Heading 2
NDLEA intercepts 184.50 kilograms of cocaine, nabs cartel leader Afolabi Michael ‘KC Luxury’
The NDLEA said KC Luxury parades “as a social media influencer and businessman dealing in gold, jewellery, and luxury goods.”
Heading 5
Police apprehend two suspected members of Ogun ‘one chance’ syndicate
Mr Babaseyi stated, “Efforts are currently being intensified by operatives to track down and apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.”
Lagos
APC chieftain seeks centralisation of party campaign structure
Mr Sewedo said that there were too many independent campaign groups under the APC.
