Israel Strikes Gaza and Lebanon Amid Regional Tensions

The Israeli military conducted a series of strikes across the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon over the weekend, resulting in at least 12 deaths. In Gaza, a drone strike on a tent for displaced people near Al-Aqsa University in Khan Younis killed one person and injured six others. Additional strikes targeted a rooftop in the Nuseirat refugee camp and a child east of the Bureij refugee camp. These actions occurred despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025; the Gaza Health Ministry reports that the Israeli army has killed at least 1,262 Palestinians since that agreement began.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces killed 11 people, including a senior Hezbollah commander. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation was retaliation for a Hezbollah attack that injured three Israeli soldiers, marking the deadliest engagement since a June ceasefire.

These escalations coincide with heightened diplomatic tension between the United States and Iran. As their own ceasefire agreement approaches its formal end on Monday, Washington is reportedly preparing an economic isolation plan due to deadlocked negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. The combined effect of renewed hostilities and the prospect of new U.S. sanctions on Iran led to a 0.5% increase in Brent crude oil prices during early Asia trading.