Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah bases in Lebanon have resulted in the killing of over 492 individuals, as confirmed by Lebanon’s health ministry, making it the deadliest day of violence in almost twenty years. The IDF aimed to strike 1,600 Hezbollah sites to dismantle the infrastructure built by the group post-2006 war.
Hezbollah responded by launching over 200 rockets into northern Israel, resulting in few injuries and causing Lebanese citizens to evacuate their houses in large numbers.
The health ministry of Lebanon reported that out of the casualties, 35 were children and 58 were females, with uncertainty about the proportion of civilian and military victims. Israeli bombings in Hezbollah strongholds in southern areas like Sidon and Beirut’s suburbs have caused thousands to evacuate their residences.
More frequent air strikes were a result of an increase in backing from Hezbollah to Hamas in Gaza, causing concerns about a potential wider conflict in the Middle East. Hezbollah has guaranteed to continue conducting assaults until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. World leaders have expressed concern, with UN Secretary General António Guterres warning against Lebanon turning into another Gaza, while US President Joe Biden urged de-escalation efforts.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati described the ongoing Israeli aggression as a “war of extermination.” Meanwhile, the IDF claimed to have killed a significant number of Hezbollah fighters, targeting their combat infrastructure in southern and eastern Lebanon. Despite the escalating conflict, Hezbollah’s media office denied reports that its top commander, Ali Karaki, was killed in the strikes, asserting that he had moved to safety.
The global community has criticized the violence and urged for caution, warning of the potential for the region to descend into a full-blown war. In the midst of the destruction, families forced to leave their homes continue to escape, unsure if or when they can go back.