Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate, with Lebanon suffering its deadliest day in decades, as on Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, a day after a series of strikes killed 492 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The casualties include 35 children and 58 women, with over 1,600 injured. The strikes mark the deadliest day of conflict since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
The air campaign has targeted southern and eastern Lebanon, with Israeli forces urging residents to evacuate these areas as strikes against Hezbollah intensify.
Thousands of Lebanese citizens have fled from the south, with highways jammed as they make their way towards Beirut, marking the largest exodus since the 2006 conflict. The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed that 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, have died, and 1,645 others have been injured in this wave of airstrikes.
In a message to Lebanese civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the population to evacuate: “Please get out of harm’s way now,” he said, adding, “Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, emphasised that Israel’s forces will take “whatever is necessary” to remove Hezbollah from Lebanon’s border with Israel. He noted that Monday’s strikes caused significant damage to Hezbollah, although no timeline was given for the continuation of military operations.
Hagari also stated that a ground invasion of Lebanon remains an option if required.
As tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, the situation in Lebanon has led to significant international disruption, with over 30 international flights to and from Beirut cancelled on Tuesday. The Rafic Hariri International Airport’s website confirmed cancellations from several major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, and various airlines from the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the intensifying crisis, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office announced that he will travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Mikati intends to engage in “further contacts” following the latest wave of Israeli strikes, signalling Lebanon’s appeal for international intervention.
This latest assault comes as Lebanon struggles to recover from a recent attack on its communication infrastructure, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
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