News Wrap: Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah reach new, dangerous levels

In our news wrap Sunday, Israel and Hezbollah intensified their assaults and threats of more violence against each other, Russia launched a new wave of attacks on Kharkiv in Ukraine, a massive rescue operation is underway after a mine explosion in Iran, authorities are investigating a deadly mass shooting in Alabama, and former Miami Dolphins running back Eugene “Mercury” Morris died at age 77.
John Yang:
Good evening. I’m John Yang. Tensions in the Middle East are reaching new dangerous levels as Israel and Hezbollah intensify both their tit for tat assaults and their threats of more violence. Overnight, Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets, missiles and drones in Israel targeting areas deeper into Israeli territory than before. Some hit near the city of Haifa. At least three people were injured, and Israeli hospitals went on wartime footing, moving patients deep underground.
Israel sent a barrage of rockets into Lebanon. The Israeli military said it struck terrorist targets and thwarted Hezbollah’s plans for an even larger attack. On CBS’s Face the Nation, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said his country is prepared to do what it takes to defend itself.
Isaac Herzog, Israeli President:
This is jihadism at its best, and that’s what we are fighting. And I wish truly, and I say it as the President of Israel officially, and I say it outright, because I know we don’t want war, but if it’s waged against us, we go all the way.
John Yang:
Israel’s ordered Qatar based Al Jazeera to shut down for 45 days. The channel’s cameras were rolling early this morning when Israeli forces raided their West Bank offices. The broadcaster had already been barred from operating in Israel.
In Ukraine, Russia launched a new wave of attacks in Kharkiv, the nation’s second largest city, bombs hit high rise apartment buildings, injuring 21 people, including an eight-year-old boy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and renewed his call for Western allies to provide more long range weapons.
A massive rescue operation is underway in Iran, following one of the worst mine disasters in the country’s history, at least 50 people are dead and 20 others injured after the explosion in Tabas, about 335 miles southeast of Tehran. Authorities blame a methane gas leak for the explosion.
In Birmingham, Alabama, federal law enforcement officials are helping local police investigate a deadly mass shooting. Police say more than 100 shots were fired in an entertainment district known for its bar and restaurant scene. Four people were killed and 18 others wounded. Investigators believe multiple people opened fire and that many of the people hurt were bystanders caught in the crossfire. There have been no arrests.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, so far this year, there have been 404 shootings in America involving four or more victims.
And former Miami Dolphins running back Eugene Mercury Morris has died. Morris helped power the Miami offense to two Super Bowl championships, and in 1972 to the only undefeated season in NFL history. Mercury Morris was 77 years old.
Still to come on PBS News Weekend, the potential political storm facing the nation’s top weather and climate service and why a majority of supermarket baby food is unhealthy.