US-Israel campaign on Iran sparks wider conflict, devastating Lebanon

The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has entered its third week, escalating regional tensions and sparking a parallel, devastating assault on Lebanon While US President Donald Trump claims the war is "way ahead of schedule," the conflict's human and economic toll is mounting across the Middle East

In Lebanon, Israeli attacks have killed at least 770 people and forcibly displaced around 750,000 since the fighting expanded Recent strikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including a health centre in southern Lebanon where 12 medical workers were killed, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry

The war's repercussions are being felt globally. Soaring energy prices linked to the conflict prompted the US to partially roll back sanctions on Russian oil, a move condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies In a notable development, the US has asked Ukraine for assistance in protecting its Gulf bases from Iranian retaliatory strikes

The conflict has also had a direct impact on foreign nationals in the region. At least two Pakistani labourers were killed in Dubai amid retaliatory strikes from Iran, raising concerns for the many expatriate workers there The crisis coincided with annual al-Quds Day, where thousands marched in solidarity with Palestinians in cities including Tehran, Kuala Lumpur, and Sanaa, with some protesters also voicing anger at the US and Israel over the war on Iran