Israel launched an aggressive airstrike campaign on Hezbollah targets across southern and eastern Lebanon. Over 356 people have been killed, including 24 children and 42 women, with more than 1,240 injured. The strikes are the deadliest since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Mass Evacuations and Destruction
- Thousands of Lebanese civilians have fled southern Lebanon, particularly from Sidon to Beirut, as the Israeli military advised immediate evacuation of areas with suspected Hezbollah weapons storage.
- Hospitals and infrastructure are overwhelmed as the death toll surpasses the devastation of the 2020 Beirut explosion.
Israeli Military Response
Israel has reportedly struck over 1,300 Hezbollah targets, including rockets, missiles, and drones. Israeli officials claim Hezbollah stores these weapons in residential areas, turning southern Lebanon into a “war zone.”
Hezbollah Rocket Attacks
Hezbollah launched more than 100 missiles toward northern Israel, with some hitting near Haifa. The militant group’s action is in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed a top Hezbollah commander days earlier.
International Reactions
- Egypt condemned Israel’s airstrikes, warning they would escalate the regional crisis.
- UN Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) expressed grave concern for civilians, urging both sides to de-escalate.
- U.S. President Joe Biden is discussing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Israeli Offensive Expands
The Israeli air campaign has moved beyond southern Lebanon into the Bekaa Valley, furthering its efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s missile arsenal. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the operation for significantly weakening Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
Lebanese Government Response
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, accused Israel of “genocide” and urged the UN and global powers to intervene. The Lebanese government also blamed Israel for recent explosions involving Hezbollah communications devices, which caused hundreds of casualties.
UN Security Council Call
Israel urged the UN Security Council to enforce Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah to withdraw forces from the border areas. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stressed the need for international sanctions against Iran, citing Tehran as the mastermind behind Hezbollah’s attacks.
