Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Netanyahu calls UN troops Hezbollah 'human shields'

Two more powerful strikes hit Beirut on Monday morning as Israel's air campaign continued, including one that impacted close to the city's international airport.

The strikes sent towering pillars of smoke and dust rising above the capital and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The airport is located south of the city center close to the Dahiya suburb, which is known as a Hezbollah stronghold and has borne the brunt of Israel's attacks on the city.

Beirut's airport is still functioning despite nearby airstrikes, though major international carriers have frozen operations there due to the deteriorating security situation.

Lebanon-based Middle East Airlines now accounts for most flights landing at and departing the airport, which was bombed by Israeli warplanes in 2006 during the last major cross-border conflict.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell and Morgan Winsor

Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked the first anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack by calling on the international community to "condemn Iran's support for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region that are responsible for so much death, destruction and instability."

"Today, we mark a devastating and tragic anniversary," Blinken said in a statement published by the State Department. "The depravity of Hamas' crimes is almost unspeakable."

The Oct. 7 attack "unleashed a year of conflict, with tragic consequences for the Palestinian people," Blinken said.

"The United States mourns the death of every innocent who died on Oct. 7 and in the year since. It is time to reach a ceasefire agreement that brings the hostages home, alleviates the suffering of the Israeli and Palestinian people and ultimately brings an end to this war."

Blinken called on other nations to "stand steadfast in the face of terrorism and violent extremism, including the sources of support for groups like Hamas," specifically Iran.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to lasting peace and stability across the region and for a common future for Israelis and Palestinians with equal measures of security, dignity, opportunity and freedom," Blinken added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a ceremony at the "Iron Swords" monument in Jerusalem to commemorate Israelis killed since Oct. 7, 2023.

The monument was unveiled in September to remember those from Jerusalem killed during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel and in the subsequent fighting.

"On this day, in this place, and in many places in our country, we remember our fallen, our abductees -- whom we are obliged to return -- and our heroes who fell for the defense of the homeland and the country," Netanyahu said.

"We went through a terrible massacre a year ago and we stood up as a people, as lions."

"A nation of wolves will rise and a lion will soar," Netanyahu said.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday to reiterate U.S. support ahead of Monday’s Oct. 7 one-year anniversary.

Austin “reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and noted that the United States maintains significant capability in the region to defend U.S. personnel and facilities, provide further support for Israel's self-defense and deter further escalation,” a readout provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

The two “reiterated their commitment to deterring Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from taking advantage of the situation or expanding the conflict,” the readout added.

Austin also “expressed his condolences” for two Israeli soldiers killed in a drone attack launched by Iran-aligned Iraqi militants on Oct. 3.

U.S. and Israeli officials are in close contact as the latter consider how to respond to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel last week.

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez