Crisis Escalates in Gaza and Lebanon Amid Militant Strikes and Retaliations

Israeli strikes in southern Gaza have resulted in at least 51 Palestinian casualties, including women and children, according to local health officials. Meanwhile, Iran fired missiles into Israel following recent Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The escalation has raised concerns of a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli strikes killed at least 51 people in southern Gaza overnight, including women and children, as the military launched ground operations in the hard-hit city of Khan Younis, Palestinian medical officials said Wednesday.

Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets across Gaza nearly a year after Hamas' October 7 attack ignited the war there, and even as attention has shifted to Lebanon and Iran. Israel has launched ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Tehran fired ballistic missiles on Israel late Tuesday.

Separately, Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in the Lebanese border town of Odaisseh, forcing them to retreat.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military or independent confirmation of the fighting, which would mark the first ground combat since Israeli troops crossed the border this week. Israeli media reported infantry and tank units operating in southern Lebanon after the military sent thousands of additional troops and artillery to the border.

(With inputs from agencies.)