Israel bombs Gaza, Lebanon as region marks Eid al-Adha
Israel resumed its bombing of Lebanon on Thursday evening and shelled cities across Gaza as Muslims in the region began marking the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs marked the fourth time it had carried out attacks on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force in late November. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said Israel had committed a "violation of an international accord... on the eve of a sacred religious festival", while Israeli officials warned of more strikes.
In Gaza, Israel continued raids across the enclave, amid mounting international pressure over its blocking of humanitarian supplies and killing of Palestinians seeking aid.
In an address marking Eid al-Adha, senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya emphasised that his group did not reject the ceasefire proposal put forward by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, but rather proposed amendments "meant to ensure the (Israeli) occupation does not revert to treachery, killing, incursions or forced displacement and to guarantee the dignified entry of aid and relief to our people".
Al-Hayya also reiterated that Hamas is ready to hand over control of Gaza to a nationally agreed-upon Palestinian administration.