Death toll up as Israel intensifies offensive in Gaza, Lebanon

Israel said it struck Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Oct 20, while officials in Gaza said they were still trying to recover bodies from the rubble after an Israeli strike that killed dozens.

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At least 87 people were dead or missing following the air strike on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza late on Oct 19, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian territory said, one of the highest death tolls reported for months from a single attack. Israel said it was investigating reports of the incident.

It marked an intensification of Israel's offensives against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, days after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had raised hopes of an opening for ceasefire negotiations to end more than a year of escalating conflict in the Middle East.

With the US presidential election approaching, officials, diplomats and other sources in the region say Israel is seeking through military operations to try to shield its borders and ensure its rivals cannot regroup.

Israel is also preparing to retaliate over an Iranian missile barrage earlier in October, though Washington has pressed it not to strike Iranian energy facilities or nuclear sites.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was the subject of an assassination attempt by "Iran's proxy Hezbollah" on Oct 19 when a drone was directed at his holiday home. In a call with former US president Donald Trump, Mr Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would make decisions based on its own interests, according to a statement from the Israeli leader's office.