UN says Israel and Hamas committed war crimes; Hezbollah fires rockets after its top commander is killed

The The militant group Hezbollah launched a massive rocket attack on Israel on Wednesday to avenge the killing of a senior commander, a major escalation as U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza reach a critical moment and the United Nations accuses both Israel and Hamas of war crimes.

The firing of around 160 rockets by the Iran-backed Hezbollah is a significant flare-up of tensions on Israel’s northern front with Lebanon, with many observers fearing the situation could escalate into a full-scale regional war.

In the south of the Gaza Strip, Hamas finally delivered its formal response to a ceasefire proposal from Washington – and suggested some “modifications,” a source familiar with the situation told NBC News. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Qatar as the Biden administration was considering its response.

Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes

It was cannon fire from the north that set off sirens early Wednesday morning, heralding what Israel called a “massive attack” by Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces told NBC News that the group fired about 160 rockets, one of which hit a factory in Kibbutz Sasa, about 5 kilometers from the border. Most of the rockets were intercepted or landed in open fields, and an Israeli warplane repelled a launch pad in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television channel said the shelling was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of one of its commanders, Taleb Sami Abdullah.

Hajj Abu Taleb, 55, also known as Hajj Abu Taleb, was the highest-ranking member of the militant group to be killed since fighting began. He was commander of a unit that oversees parts of the southern border region. He was killed late Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike on what the Israeli military called a “command and control center” in the town of Joya. Three other activists were also killed in the attack, the Israeli army said in a statement accompanied by a video of the attack.

Ceasefire talks on the brink

The Israeli government has hinted in recent weeks that it may step up its actions in the north as it faces increasing pressure to confront Hezbollah more forcefully after months of simmering tensions and deadly clashes.

Hezbollah is supported by Iran and, according to the weapons watchdog, has the largest missile arsenal of any non-state actor in the world. Many observers believe that the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has the greatest potential for escalation in the entire region.

Aware of this risk, Blinken has been in the Middle East all week, his eighth visit since the war began. On Wednesday he traveled to Qatar, a key mediator in the talks.

The United States has drawn up a plan to achieve a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages in the Palestinian enclave. The UN Security Council approved the draft on Monday and Hamas, which is also backed by Iran, gave its expected response on Tuesday.

A source familiar with the situation told NBC News that Hamas’ response “included changes to the Israeli proposal,” including setting a firm timetable for the ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops, suggesting that distance remains between the sides.

There are also doubts about Israel’s compliance with the agreement, which were only exacerbated by the deadly rescue operation over the weekend.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wing members of his government to reject the US-backed plan and from the hostage families to accept it.

A senior State Department official told NBC News that Blinken had increased pressure this week on Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar to accept the deal, adding that Netanyahu confirmed his approval at their meeting Monday night.

The two parties disagree over whether the initial six-week ceasefire should be permanent, as Hamas is demanding, and whether Israel should withdraw completely from Gaza, the official said, adding that U.S. officials were trying to bridge that wide divide.

Meanwhile, violence on the ground continues.

UN investigation: Both sides committed war crimes

The report of the independent UN commission states that on October 7, Hamas “intentionally killed civilians”, “mistreated” hostages and committed “sexual and gender-based violence” against Israeli and foreign nationals.

“These actions constitute war crimes and violations and abuses” of international humanitarian law and human rights, it said.

She accused Israel of the same thing and also of crimes against humanity.

The report said Israel’s “chosen strategy of using force” had resulted in “immense civilian casualties and widespread destruction” in Gaza.

It was shown that the intention was to cause maximum damage, without regard to distinction, proportionality and appropriate precautions” and that it was a “deliberate and direct attack on the civilian population, particularly affecting women and children,” it said.

On Wednesday, the Israeli embassy to the United Nations rejected the “abhorrent and immoral accusations” and accused the commission of “systematic anti-Israel discrimination” and of only viewing the conflict “through the lens of the Palestinian narrative.”

According to Israeli authorities, around 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack eight months ago. According to local health authorities, more than 37,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza.