World News: In a bold move, the Israeli military announced on Sunday that it conducted a rare ground raid into Syria, capturing a Syrian citizen reportedly involved with Iranian-backed networks. This marked Israels first acknowledged troop entry into Syria amidst the current conflict, following a series of ongoing airstrikes in Syria targeting Hezbollah members and Iranian officials. Syria has yet to respond to the announcement.Targeted Syrian Detained by Israeli ForcesThe Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified the detained individual as Ali Soleiman al-Assi, who resides in Saida, southern Syria. According to the IDF, al-Assi had been under surveillance for months due to his involvement in Iranian initiatives targeting the Golan Heights region, a strategic area bordering Syria and Israel. In video footage released by the Israeli military, soldiers were seen capturing a man in a white tank top inside a building al-Assi was subsequently transported to Israel for questioning.This unprecedented ground incursion comes as part of Israels intensified operations across the region, where they have also increased bombardments along the Lebanese border and into Lebanese territory in efforts to dismantle Hezbollahs presence. On Saturday, Israeli naval forces conducted a separate operation in northern Lebanon, capturing a high-ranking Hezbollah operative.Netanyahus commitment to halting Iranian arms flow to HezbollahIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Lebanon-Israel border on Sunday, emphasizing Israels objective to cut off Hezbollahs arms supply, allegedly facilitated by Iran through Syria. Our focus remains on stopping Hezbollah from obtaining weaponry through Irans supply line, Netanyahu stated, reiterating Israels resolve to neutralize threats at its northern border. Israel reports that its operations in Lebanon have led to the deaths of over 2,500 people this past year, while Hezbollahs projectile attacks have killed 69 individuals in Israel.Intensified strikes in Gaza amid rising civilian casualtiesSimultaneously, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continue, with a recent attack in Khan Younis killing eight Palestinians, including four children and a woman. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the casualties, and Nasser Hospital, which received the victims, corroborated the numbers. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported a separate drone strike on Saturday, injuring six, including four children, at a clinic in northern Gaza where children were receiving polio vaccinations. Despite Israeli military denial of involvement, UNICEF and WHO expressed serious concern over the attack.Humanitarian crisis escalates in Gazas isolated northNorthern Gaza, heavily encircled by Israeli forces for the past year, faces severe access restrictions, complicating a polio vaccination campaign for young children. The World Health Organization reported that about 119,000 children were to receive their second dose of the polio vaccine, but restricted access now jeopardizes the goal. The campaign began after Gazas first polio case in 25 years was reported, with WHO warning of potentially widespread infections among asymptomatic carriers.The ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel, has claimed thousands of lives on both sides. Israels offensive has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, who estimate that a significant number of casualties are women and children.
