"Deadliest Day of Conflict in Decades as Thousands Flee Amid Escalating Violence"
At least 492 people have been killed in widespread Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, making it the deadliest day of conflict in nearly 20 years, according to the country's health ministry. Thousands of families have fled their homes as Israel claims to have hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets in an effort to dismantle infrastructure built since the 2006 war. Hezbollah responded by firing over 200 rockets into northern Israel, injuring two people.
As the situation escalates, world powers are calling for restraint. Lebanon's health ministry confirmed that 35 children and 58 women are among the dead, while 1,645 others were injured, though it did not specify how many were civilians or fighters. Health Minister Firass Abiad stated that thousands of families have also been displaced by the strikes. UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed concern over the growing conflict, warning that Lebanon should not become “another Gaza.” EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell described the situation as "extremely dangerous" and warned of a potential full-scale war, just ahead of a meeting of world leaders at the UN in New York.
President Joe Biden assured that the U.S. is working to de-escalate tensions and is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East as a precaution. This follows almost a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by the Gaza war, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths, mostly Hezbollah fighters, and displaced tens of thousands of people. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its fight in support of Hamas until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, with both groups backed by Iran.
Israeli air strikes began early Monday, targeting multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, including parts of Beirut. Roads have been jammed with civilians fleeing the bombardment after receiving warnings from Israeli forces to vacate areas storing Hezbollah weapons. Lebanese media reported that Israeli missiles hit a building in the Bir al-Abed area of Beirut, where Hezbollah’s top commander in southern Lebanon, Ali Karaki, was reportedly targeted. However, Hezbollah’s media office stated that Karaki was safe.
In southern Lebanon, towns and villages from Sidon to Bint Jbeil were heavily targeted throughout the day. As people fled, Israel continued its air strikes, intensifying concerns that the conflict could spiral out of control. Prime Minister Najib Mikati described the ongoing attacks as “a war of extermination.”
On Israel's side, a rocket struck a home in Givat Avni, Lower Galilee, but the family inside escaped uninjured. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to launch rockets and drones into Israel, with Israeli forces responding by hitting hundreds of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Despite suffering significant losses, including the deaths of 16 top commanders of its elite Radwan Force, Hezbollah remains undeterred, with its deputy leader Naim Qassem stating that the group has entered a new phase of conflict, an "open-ended battle of reckoning."
Amid the violence, the people of Beirut are caught between fear and defiance. Some residents fear the war will disrupt daily life, while others remain resolute, determined to resist. read more
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