Nov 03, V7N- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to retaliate for attacks on Iran and its allies, escalating regional tensions as Israel confirmed that its naval forces recently captured a Hezbollah operative in Lebanon. This comes amid ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. A strike on a polio vaccination center in north Gaza wounded six people, including four children, as described by the World Health Organization. UNICEF has condemned the continuing toll on civilians, particularly children, in Gaza’s Jabalia area, labeling it one of the war's darkest periods.
 
In response to recent clashes, the U.S. has deployed B-52 bombers to the Middle East as a warning to Tehran. This development follows an October 26 Israeli bombing of Iranian military sites, which reportedly killed four Iranian servicemen. Israel's recent ground and air operations in Gaza and Lebanon aim to counter attacks from Iran-aligned groups, though these actions have led to significant civilian casualties and displacement, according to local health ministries.
 
The latest confrontations have strained conditions for civilians, especially in Lebanon, where many are now displaced. In Lebanon’s Baalbek region, those affected report lack of essentials like heating and warm clothing, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, have urged for a United Nations investigation following the Israeli raid in Batroun, highlighting the complexity of the conflict as both the Lebanese army and UNIFIL probe the incident.
END/WD/RH/