Israeli Woman and Son Fatally Killed in Missile Strike by Hezbollah

An elderly Israeli woman and her son have been killed in a missile attack by Hezbollah from Lebanon, according to Israel. The town of Kfar Yuval, located on Israel's northern border, was struck by an anti-tank missile that killed 45-year-old Barak Ayalon and his 76-year-old mother, Miri Ayalon. Earlier, the Israeli military reported killing four gunmen attempting to cross from Lebanon into Israel. Meanwhile, Hamas health officials in Gaza revealed that another 125 people were killed in ongoing Israeli airstrikes. The death toll in Gaza has risen to nearly 24,000, with many more feared dead under the rubble. The majority of the victims are said to be women and children, and around 60,000 people have been injured. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that Israel would have to transition to lower-intensity operations in Gaza, adding that the US had offered assistance in sharing knowledge. The conflict began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in the death of approximately 1,300 civilians and the taking of 240 hostages. Hezbollah and Israel have also exchanged fire across Israel's northern border. Barak Ayalon was a member of the emergency response team in Kfar Yuval, and reports indicate that his father was also seriously injured in the Hezbollah attack. The Israel Defense Forces retaliated by targeting several Israeli communities in the north of the country and striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah stated that the group's intention in firing on Israel was to bring an end to the war in Gaza. Nasrallah also affirmed that the Houthi group in Yemen would continue attacking shipping in the Red Sea, and he criticized the US and UK for attacking the group, viewing it as a mistake. Nasrallah emphasized that the security of the Red Sea, Lebanon's front, Iraq, and the entire region depend on halting the aggression against Gaza. In Gaza, Israeli tanks and aircraft continued to target southern and central areas on Sunday, leading to a three-day communication and internet services blackout in parts of the region. A displaced man named Alaa Bakhit, residing in Rafah, described the situation as living in a country without a soul, with every second of life being a moment of war and nothing left, including schools, universities, and health services. Concerns were raised about the future of the children and the psychological impact of the war on their lives. Other residents expressed their despair, highlighting the constant fear of airstrikes and the exorbitant prices in the market. Um Sharif Khalil, who was displaced from the north of Gaza, stated that their sense of morality had shattered, and they had no hope of returning to their homes. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's determination to fight until it attains "total victory" over Hamas. The Israeli military announced that the next phase of the war would involve targeted operations against Hamas leaders and positions.