Middle East latest: Israel strikes in the heart of Lebanon’s capital

Israeli airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in the heart of Lebanon’s capital late Monday evening, slamming into an area near the Parliament, several embassies and the U.N. headquarters, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. He said Israel will continue allowing trucks into Gaza but the U.N. and international organizations must step up aid distribution, and “the focus must also shift to Hamas’ constant hijacking of humanitarian aid to feed the machine of terror and misery.” US sanctions a group that builds illegal West Bank settlements, with close ties to Israeli government WASHINGTON — The U.S. has imposed sanctions on organizations and firms involved in illegal settlement development in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including a decades-old group that has close ties with Israeli leadership. Israel bombs a main water facility in southern Lebanon, killing 2 local officials BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike targeted the main water facility in the southern port city of Tyre, killing two local officials and injuring two others, further compounding southern Lebanon’s worsening water crisis, Lebanon’s state media said. UNICEF’s report quoted Lebanon’s Minister of Energy, Walid Fayyad, who said, “The ongoing hostilities have inflicted severe damage on Lebanon’s essential services, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to safe water and electricity.” Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut near key government buildings and embassies BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike hit a densely populated residential area in central Beirut on Monday evening, close to major landmarks including the U.N. headquarters in Lebanon, the country’s parliament, the prime minister’s office and several embassies, including the EU delegation. Biden also said Hamas was still refusing a deal, adding, “I am asking everyone to increase the pressure on Hamas.” UN says an aid convoy was attacked in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel — United Nations aid organizations say a convoy carrying food supplies in Gaza was attacked over the weekend, further contributing to severe food shortages across the besieged territory.