Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point as Israel continues its relentless military campaign against Hezbollah, raising fears of a wider conflict beyond the ongoing war in Gaza.

On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, leaving 33 people dead and 195 injured, according to Lebanese authorities.

The strike on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, resulted in massive explosions that destroyed numerous buildings, leaving thick plumes of black smoke hanging over the city.

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Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties, while Israeli media suggested that the attack aimed to eliminate senior Hezbollah leaders.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), however, declined to comment on the specifics of the operation.

On Friday night, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike, marking a critical escalation in the conflict.

Nasrallah, a key figure in Hezbollah’s operations and political activities, was struck during an attack on Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military used an 80-ton bomb in the assault, according to Hezbollah’s statement. It was confirmed that Nasrallah was in the building at the time, along with his daughter, both of whom were killed.

Shortly after the attack, the Israeli military posted on social media, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” signaling the IDF’s satisfaction with the operation.

The death of Nasrallah has sent shockwaves throughout the region, with fears mounting that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could spiral into a full-scale war.

The assassination of Nasrallah prompted an immediate response from Hezbollah, vowing retaliation and escalating already high tensions in Lebanon.

Iranian authorities, key backers of Hezbollah, reacted swiftly, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling an emergency meeting.

Reports from Iranian officials indicated that Khamenei had been moved to a secure location following the Israeli strikes.

The death of Nasrallah marks a turning point in the volatile dynamics of the Middle East, with many regional actors bracing for the potential consequences of his assassination.

With Israeli airstrikes continuing and Hezbollah forces on high alert, the prospect of a new warfront opening in Lebanon looms large, raising fears of even greater instability across the region.

As both sides prepare for potential further conflict, the international community watches closely, concerned that the violence could spread beyond Lebanon and Gaza, igniting a broader regional war.

Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, warning that Lebanon risks suffering the same humanitarian catastrophe as Gaza if violence continues to escalate.

Speaking at the United Nations, Wong condemned the ongoing airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and urged global leaders to take urgent action.

“This attack cannot and should not be justified,” Wong said, emphasizing the toll the conflict has taken on civilians.

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She highlighted Australia’s firm stance against Hamas, with sanctions already in place on the group’s leaders and financial backers.

However, Wong expressed deep concern over the heavy civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s response to Hamas.

Wong stated, “More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 11,000 children. Nearly two million Gazans have been displaced, many multiple times, and over two million are facing severe food insecurity. This must end. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price for defeating Hamas. All lives have equal value.”

Wong also pointed out that nearly 300 days have passed since Australia and 152 other countries voted for a ceasefire, yet the violence continues.

“Today, I repeat that call,” she said, urging both sides to halt hostilities.

The foreign minister also stressed the importance of averting further conflict in Lebanon, where tensions are rising amid ongoing air raids.

She called for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for peace between Lebanon and Israel.

“Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza,” Wong warned, calling for immediate international efforts to prevent further bloodshed.

A tragic helicopter crash involving a Pakistan oil company has left six people dead and eight others injured.

The incident occurred during takeoff on Saturday when the aircraft, operated by Mari Petroleum Company (MPC), suffered a technical fault.

The helicopter was carrying fourteen individuals, including three Russian pilots and crew members, when it went down in North Waziristan, a region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border.

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In a statement, MPC confirmed that the crash resulted from engine failure, ruling out any signs of sabotage.

“The accident has claimed the lives of six individuals, while eight others have been injured,” the company reported.

The injured have been promptly transported to a military hospital for medical treatment.

The team was reportedly on a visit to a nearby oil field at the time of the accident.

Mari Petroleum Company is recognized as one of Pakistan’s largest petroleum exploration and production firms, which continues to strive towards fully unlocking the country’s resource potential.

Further investigations are underway to understand the circumstances surrounding the crash.