Hostilities in Lebanon have intensified as airstrikes hit areas near the capital while Israel announced an expansion of its military objectives in the south.
Officials reported casualties after a strike on a residential building outside the traditional target zones signaling a widening scope of operations.
Multiple overnight raids across several neighborhoods point to an escalation in the scale and frequency of strikes in and around Beirut.
Israel has also announced the creation of a security zone extending north to the Litani River along with measures targeting infrastructure and key crossings.
Authorities indicated that displaced residents would not be allowed to return south of the river for now suggesting prolonged displacement.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate with large scale displacement and overcrowded shelters struggling to cope.
Casualty figures are rising as strikes continue to impact civilian areas and infrastructure.
Regional tensions are increasing with additional actors involved and renewed missile and drone activity raising the risk of further escalation.
International agencies warn that continued targeting of civilian infrastructure could worsen the crisis and complicate efforts to contain the conflict.
Analysts say the combination of expanded military goals and intensified strikes signals a shift toward a more entrenched conflict.
Without urgent intervention the humanitarian situation is expected to deteriorate further.
