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Israel Strikes Lebanon in Retaliation for Rocket Attack Amid Ceasefire Tensions
Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon on Saturday in response to rockets fired into its territory, marking the heaviest exchange of fire since the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
The Israeli army reported that several rockets were launched from Lebanon early Saturday morning, targeting northern Israel, including the town of Metula. Israel’s military intercepted the incoming projectiles but warned that it would respond “severely” to the attack.
This is the second time since December that rockets have been fired from Lebanon into Israel, raising concerns over the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
Escalating Tensions and Ceasefire Violations
Hezbollah has been involved in cross-border hostilities with Israel since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. In response, Hezbollah launched rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel, prompting large-scale Israeli airstrikes.
The conflict escalated into full-scale war in September, with Israel conducting extensive air raids that killed several senior Hezbollah leaders. The fighting resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 people in Lebanon and forced around 60,000 Israelis to evacuate northern border areas.
Under a ceasefire agreement reached in November, Israeli forces were scheduled to withdraw from all Lebanese territory by late January. However, the withdrawal deadline was extended to February 18 following negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Despite this, Israeli forces have remained stationed in five locations inside Lebanon and have carried out multiple airstrikes, claiming they were targeting Hezbollah positions.
Lebanon has since appealed to the United Nations to pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal.
Israeli and Lebanese Responses
Following Saturday’s attack, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the military had been instructed to strike “dozens of targets” in Lebanon. “Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty,” the statement read.
The Lebanese government has condemned the escalation, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam instructing the military to take necessary measures to secure the southern border. However, he emphasized that Lebanon does not seek a return to full-scale war.
Hezbollah has not yet issued a statement in response to the latest Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed alarm over the renewed violence, warning that further escalation could have serious consequences for regional stability. UNIFIL called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the progress made under the ceasefire agreement.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains highly volatile, with fears that the recent exchange of fire could derail the fragile truce between the two sides.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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