Lagatar24 Desk
Beirut, Lebanon: Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon have claimed the lives of 182 people, including children, and left over 700 injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry. This marks the most intense cross-border escalation since the war erupted in Gaza on October 7.
The conflict began when Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched its worst-ever attack on Israel, triggering a widespread regional response, with Iran-backed Hezbollah increasingly engaging in cross-border violence.
Deadliest Strikes in Nearly a Year
On Monday, Israel launched over 300 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated by targeting three locations in northern Israel. The strikes on Lebanon are the deadliest in nearly a year of violence along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“Israeli enemy strikes on southern towns and villages since this morning have killed 182 people and wounded 727 others,” the Lebanese health ministry reported. The casualties included children, women, and even paramedics, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
Growing Fears of Wider Conflict
As the situation escalates, world powers have urged both Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink of a wider war. The focus of violence has shifted from Israel’s southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari warned that strikes would continue and urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate Hezbollah-linked areas for their safety. “We will engage in more extensive and precise strikes against terror targets embedded across Lebanon,” Hagari stated.
Hezbollah’s Role in the Conflict
Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, has taken an active role in the conflict, declaring its support for Hamas, with both groups being backed by Iran. Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, warned that the group is in a “new phase” of open conflict with Israel, and said they were ready for “all military possibilities.”
Lebanon’s Call for International Intervention
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called on the United Nations and world powers to intervene, accusing Israel of a deliberate plan to destroy Lebanese villages and towns.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern that Lebanon could turn into “another Gaza,” with both sides showing no interest in a ceasefire.
Rising Civilian Impact
The strikes have devastated southern Lebanon and other regions like the Bekaa Valley and Tyre, prompting tens of thousands to flee their homes. Schools in the targeted areas have been ordered to close, and residents have received warnings to evacuate from potential conflict zones.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut and the Haifa region continue, escalating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
International Reaction
US President Joe Biden has vowed to do everything possible to prevent a wider war, while calls for a court-monitored investigation into the conflict are growing. As both sides prepare for further strikes, tensions remain high, with no signs of de-escalation.
As of now, Israeli retaliatory strikes in Gaza have killed over 41,431 people, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures, raising further concerns of humanitarian consequences in the region.
