The crisis in the Middle East escalates as the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah becomes increasingly fragile. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce, with Israeli strikes killing at least nine people in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah firing missiles at an Israeli military position. Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri reported at least 54 ceasefire violations by Israel. President-elect Donald Trump demanded the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, threatening consequences if they are not freed. In Syria, a wave of airstrikes hit hospitals in Idlib, killing 18 people and injuring 35. Iranian-backed Iraqi militias crossed into eastern Syria to support Damascus forces against insurgents. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan blamed President Bashar al-Assad for the crisis in Syria due to his refusal to engage in political dialogue with the opposition. The Hamas-led health authority in Gaza reported thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded since Israel’s military offensive began. As violence continues to spread in the region, international efforts are underway, with Iran, Russia, and Turkey scheduled to meet in Qatar to discuss the crisis in Syria, while Unicef reports over 48,500 people displaced by renewed fighting in Syria. The Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF forces are engaged in clashes in Deir ez-Zur, as Israel prohibits Lebanese civilians from returning to villages in the south and claims to have struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The situation remains volatile as tensions rise in the Middle East.
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Tensions rise in the Middle East as a fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon hangs in the balance following deadly Israeli airstrikes
