<p>At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/at-least-12-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-hezbollah-command-centres-in-lebanon-23617757" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Lebanon</a> over the past 24 hours, according to official figures released on Friday, reported news agency IANS.</p>
<p>The latest casualties have pushed the overall death toll to 1,021, with 2,641 people injured since the escalation of hostilities began earlier this month.</p>
<h2>Death toll rises amid continued strikes</h2>
<p>Authorities said the fresh wave of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/israeli-defence-forces-kills-hezbollah-engineer-ali-dawood-amich-in-southern-lebanon-strike-23614770" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">airstrikes</a> has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with civilian casualties continuing to mount across multiple regions, reported IANS.</p>
<p>The ongoing conflict has seen repeated aerial and ground attacks, further worsening conditions on the ground.</p>
<h2>Displacement crisis deepens</h2>
<p>The situation has also triggered large-scale displacement, with over 134,000 people forced to flee their homes.</p>
<p>Officials said 134,616 displaced persons are currently being housed in 644 shelters across the country, placing immense strain on relief infrastructure, reported IANS.</p>
<h2>Escalation since early March</h2>
<p>The latest escalation began on March 2, when <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/west-asia-conflict-israel-strikes-central-beirut-hezbollah-tv-director-killed-23621472" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Hezbollah</a> launched rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel, marking its entry into the conflict after a previous ceasefire.</p>
<p>In response, Israel intensified its military operations, targeting multiple locations across Lebanon.</p>
<h2>UN expresses concern over worsening situation</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/chinas-islamophobia-message-at-united-nations-faces-sharp-criticism-from-uyghur-groups-23621408" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">United Nations</a> Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed &ldquo;deep concern&rdquo; over the heavy exchange of fire and increased military activity, reported IANS.</p>
<p>The UN peacekeeping force warned that the escalation represents a serious deterioration in the situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Lebanon and Israel.</p>
<h2>Call for ceasefire and restraint</h2>
<p>UNIFIL has urged all parties to recommit to <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/heated-un-security-council-meet-sees-us-israel-defend-strikes-iran-hits-back-23618825" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">UN Security Council</a> Resolution 1701 and push for an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling it the only viable path to long-term stability, reported IANS.</p>
<p>It also raised concerns over renewed evacuation warnings issued by both sides, which are impacting civilians.</p>
<h2>Humanitarian challenges intensify</h2>
<p>Peacekeeping forces remain deployed in southern Lebanon, continuing to monitor violations, maintain communication channels and facilitate humanitarian assistance where possible, reported IANS.</p>
<p>However, officials warned that continued hostilities could further aggravate the humanitarian crisis and destabilise the region.</p>
<h2>US deploys more troops to Mideast as Trump considers 'winding down' military operations</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, US President <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/west-asia-war-uae-president-us-president-trump-discuss-regional-tensions-security-in-phone-call-23621704" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Donald Trump</a> said his administration was considering "winding down" military operations in the Middle East even as the United States announced it was sending more warships and Marines to the region and Iran threatened to attack tourist sites worldwide. The mixed US messages came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from IANS)</strong></p>

At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to official figures released

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The latest casualties have pushed the overall death toll to 1,021, with 2,641 people injured since the escalation of hostilities began earlier this month

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon kill 20 in 24 hours; death toll crosses 1,000

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