Syrian state media reported that Israeli air strikes in Damascus and its northwest suburbs resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people. This escalation follows a series of intensified attacks by Israel on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, particularly after the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel. Israeli military officials stated that their operations targeted strongholds of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has ties to both Hamas and Hezbollah. They emphasized their commitment to dismantling infrastructure in Syria that supports Hezbollah's weapon production.

In Lebanon, explosions were reported in Beirut as Israel continued its bombing campaign for a third consecutive day, with state media indicating that a separate strike in eastern Lebanon killed at least nine individuals.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, citing the forced displacement of nearly two million Palestinians, which they describe as ethnic cleansing. Israel has previously dismissed such allegations.

In the United States, a Pentagon report revealed a troubling increase in military suicides, with 523 cases reported in 2023, up from 493 in 2022. The majority of these incidents involved young men using firearms. This rise persists despite ongoing efforts by military leaders to enhance mental health support and promote gun safety education.

Meanwhile, New Jersey is facing a drought warning as parts of the Northeast experience their driest conditions in nearly 120 years. Unprecedented wildfires have emerged in areas that have not seen significant rainfall since August, including a brush fire on the northern tip of Manhattan, which has since been contained. Authorities in New York and New Jersey have charged two individuals with starting separate smaller fires in the region.