Lebanon’s Death Toll in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Rises to 2,593

People inspect the scene of a site hit by an Israeli air strike on the village of El-Khodr in the center of Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Hassan SKEINE / AFP)
People inspect the scene of a site hit by an Israeli air strike on the village of El-Khodr in the center of Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Hassan SKEINE / AFP)
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Lebanon’s Death Toll in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Rises to 2,593

People inspect the scene of a site hit by an Israeli air strike on the village of El-Khodr in the center of Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Hassan SKEINE / AFP)
People inspect the scene of a site hit by an Israeli air strike on the village of El-Khodr in the center of Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Hassan SKEINE / AFP)

Lebanon’s health ministry said Thursday that 19 people were killed and 118 wounded in the past 24 hours, raising the total toll over the past year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to 2,593 killed and 12,119 wounded.

Lebanon’s crisis response unit recorded 111 airstrikes and shelling incidents in the past day, mostly concentrated in southern Lebanon and the Nabatiyeh province.

An Israeli airstrike in the Bekaa Valley killed five people and wounded several others on a Hillaniyeh town in Baalbek, Lebanon’s state media said.

Some 1,096 centers are sheltering 191,692 people, including 44,319 families, displaced by the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, the health ministry report said. Among these shelters, 928 have reached full capacity.

Despite a major border crossing between Lebanon and Syria being out of commission after Israel hit the road several times, crowds have flowed across the border seeking relative safety in Syria.

Between Sept. 23 and Oct. 24, Lebanese General Security recorded nearly half a million people crossing into Syria, including 346,529 Syrian and 153,282 Lebanese citizens, the report said.



Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
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Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)

The Yemeni army has warned of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ constant mobilization and readiness to reignite the war.

Yemen Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdo Majali told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis have been firing artillery and drones at residential areas and military positions at various battlefronts.

He interpreted the actions as part of the militias’ preparations to return to war, accusing them of aborting “all regional and international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and achieve peace.”

Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Daeri had told Asharq Al-Awsat previously that the war could erupt at any moment, stressing that the armed forces “were ready for all options.”

Observers interpreted the Houthi preparations and statements by its senior leaders as a reflection of their concern over the legitimate Yemeni army launching a military campaign - with international backing - to liberate Hodeidah and its ports.

The theory is backed by the Houthis’ mobilization of reinforcements to areas under their control in Hodeidah.

Majali stressed that the armed forces are at the “highest level of combat readiness and their morale is high.”

“Comprehensive strategies are in place to liberate the nation from the terrorist Houthi crimes and violations against our Yemeni people,” he declared.

The legitimate Yemeni government has for months since the Houthis started targeted international shipping in the Red Sear been calling on the international community to support its armed forces.

The end of the Houthi attacks on international shipping lies in backing the government, not western strikes against the militias, it has reiterated on numerous occasions.

Majali said the Houthis are continuing their violations against the people in various regions, notably in Taiz, Dhale and Marib.

The main goal for the armed forces is the liberation of the nation, starting with Sanaa, Hodeidah and Hajjah, he added, saying the Houthi “demise is near.”