Israeli soldiers engaged in intense fighting with Hezbollah militants on Friday in southern Lebanon, including near the coastal town of Naqoura, which houses the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force, UNIFIL.
The clashes also spread to the village of Chamaa, located to the northeast.
A UNIFIL spokesperson confirmed that the peacekeeping force was monitoring heavy clashes in these areas.
"We are aware of heavy shelling near our bases," said UNIFIL's Andrea Tenenti.
UNIFIL's headquarters, located near the Israeli border, has already been targeted several times since Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon began on October 1.
Several UNIFIL posts have been hit in recent weeks, leaving peacekeepers injured.
With the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel intensifying, Naqoura and surrounding villages have become key flashpoints in the ongoing cross-border hostilities.
The new round of fighting follows months of escalating tensions along the border, which spiked after Hezbollah launched a series of rocket and missile attacks against Israel in retaliation for Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon.
The hostilities have intensified since September, evolving into a broader conflict.
Desperate Residents in Gaza Face Dire Food Shortages
Meanwhile in Gaza, displaced residents continue to face dire food shortages as the war with Israel stretches into its second year.
On Friday, large crowds gathered outside a bakery in Deir al-Balah, hoping to secure bread after five days of closures due to a lack of flour and humanitarian aid.
"I have come three days in a row to this bakery, and still, I cannot get bread," said Majdi Yaghi, a 61-year-old displaced man from Gaza City. "I have children to feed, and nothing to give them."
Prices have skyrocketed in Gaza, with a small bag of pita bread now costing $16—a dramatic increase from the 80-cent price last month.
Basic goods like pasta and sugar have also seen huge price hikes, leaving many families struggling to survive on a single meal per day.
As a result, families are increasingly dependent on charity kitchens to meet their basic food needs.
Why has the ICC Issued Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas Leader?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over their involvement in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
It is the first time a sitting leader of a major Western ally faces such charges.
The ICC's decision reflects growing international scrutiny of Israel's conduct in Gaza since the outbreak of the conflict in October 2023.
Netanyahu, Gallant, and the Hamas leader were accused of complicity in war crimes related to the devastating operations in Gaza and the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas.
Since the conflict's escalation in October 2023, Israel's airstrikes in Gaza have killed tens of thousands, displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million residents, and left the region in ruins.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel surpassed 1,200, with 250 people abducted by the militants.
Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with many feared dead.
Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, including its bombings of Lebanon, has drawn widespread international criticism, despite backing from its allies, including the U.S.
What are Germany and Russia's Thoughts on the ICC Decision?
A German official expressed reluctance on Friday to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
Germany, a key ally of Israel, released a statement acknowledging its strong support for the ICC but noted that its relationship with Israel carries "a great responsibility" due to historical context.
"We will examine conscientiously the domestic steps," said government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit.
However, he suggested that it was 'hard to imagine' Germany carrying out an arrest based on the ICC warrant.
The German government has not yet outlined any specific course of action, and any decision may depend on whether Netanyahu or Gallant plan to visit the country in the near future.
In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the ICC's arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others on Friday, calling the ruling "insignificant" for Russia.
Moscow, which does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction, has repeatedly defied the court's actions, including the warrant issued last year for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
"The actions of the ICC are unlikely to help resolve anything," Peskov said, adding that Russia considered the court's rulings "null and void."
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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