On September 30th, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), launched airstrikes across southern Lebanon, followed by a ground invasion in the south of the country. This action brought scrutiny from some in the international community.

Over 175,000 people have fled Lebanon. This crisis added to the tension that was already present due to Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip. Recently, the IDF had launched retaliatory missile strikes against Iran for an earlier attack by that country.

Israel has been in conflict with Lebanon and Iran for years. 

Israel has also taken action to get rid of the UN organization UNRWA: a Refugee agency for Palestinians. Currently, Israel has outlawed this agency and has shut down all its operations within both Israel and the Gaza Strip. This agency has been one of the largest employers within the Gaza Strip.

This situation has left some in the United States feeling angry and worried. Many have directed this anger towards the government and the funding of the Israeli military by the U.S. According to Kanishka Singh at Reuters, “Protesters in some U.S. cities demonstrated on Tuesday against America military support for Israel as risks have risen of a full-fledged conflict in the Middle East, with anti-war activists demanding an arms embargo against the U.S. ally.” This has prompted many to disapprove of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation; however, ongoing protests are less severe than they had been earlier in the year.

The situation between the two countries continues to be monitored, and ceasefires are being negotiated.