365 Dead in Israeli Strikes on Hezbollah Strongholds in Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 365 people, including 24 children, as the conflict intensifies. Iran's president has accused Israel of inciting further conflict but expressed opposition to war.
Lebanese health officials reported that Israeli attacks targeted towns and villages in southern Lebanon, as well as the eastern regions of Bekaa and Baalbek. The strikes killed 356 people, including 24 children and 42 women, while leaving 1,246 others wounded, according to the Ministry of Health.
The ongoing violence stems from a broader regional conflict that began when Hamas launched a significant attack on Israel. Hezbollah, along with other Iran-backed groups, has since been drawn into the fray, leading to daily cross-border clashes. Israeli forces announced they had struck over 300 Hezbollah sites on Monday, while Hezbollah confirmed they retaliated by attacking five locations in Israel.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that the overall death toll had reached 274, with 21 children and 39 women among the victims. About 5,000 people have been wounded since the fighting began earlier in the week.
The conflict has shifted focus in recent days, moving from Israel's southern border with Gaza to its northern frontier with Lebanon. Global powers have urged restraint, fearing an escalation into a full-scale war.
In southern Lebanon, displaced families are fleeing the violence. "We sleep and wake up to bombardment... that's what our life has become," said 60-year-old Wafaa Ismail, a resident of the village of Zawtar.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari warned civilians in Lebanon to avoid areas connected to Hezbollah, as airstrikes are expected to continue. The Israeli military also broadened its attacks on the Bekaa Valley, urging residents to evacuate. Explosions in the ancient city of Baalbek sent plumes of smoke into the air, adding to the devastation.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching rockets at military targets near Haifa in northern Israel, while also firing dozens more at two Israeli bases. The militant group said the actions were in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon's south and the Bekaa region.
Schools in affected areas were ordered to close, and Lebanese citizens received text messages urging them to evacuate quickly.
Hezbollah, a key political and military force in Lebanon, has engaged in nearly daily exchanges of fire with Israel in solidarity with its ally, Hamas.
Calls for De-escalation Amid Warnings of a Wider Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country is taking preemptive measures to shift the "security balance" in the northern region. Hezbollah's deputy chief, Naim Qassem, described the situation as a "new phase" and warned of the group's readiness for all-out war.
In response to Hezbollah rocket attacks on Haifa, northern Israeli communities have sought refuge in bomb shelters.
The violence follows the death of Ibrahim Aqil, the elite commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs. His death, along with that of other commanders and civilians, has escalated tensions.
Since the cross-border violence erupted in October, tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called on the United Nations and world powers to intervene, accusing Israel of seeking to destroy Lebanese towns and villages.
Global Response
U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged to prevent the conflict from expanding, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to avoiding a wider war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concern, warning that Lebanon could face a fate similar to Gaza’s ongoing devastation if the situation worsens.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the UN General Assembly, accused Israel of intentionally fueling the conflict. He warned that Iran has shown restraint in hopes of maintaining peace, but criticized Israel’s continuous aggression. Pezeshkian also hinted at Iran’s support for Hezbollah, stating, "If Hezbollah didn't even do the minimum, who would defend them?"
The UN peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, warned that further escalation could have disastrous consequences for the region.
Meanwhile, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has claimed at least 41,431 lives, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry, with the United Nations confirming the accuracy of the figures. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, both sides remain locked in conflict, with no end in sight.
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