Israel Launches Massive Airstrikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, killing over 356 people, including women and children, in a targeted operation against Hezbollah. Thousands of civilians fled in the largest exodus since 2006, with over 1,240 wounded in one of the deadliest attacks since the Israel-Hezbollah conflict reignited. Amid calls for evacuation and rising casualties, the international community, including the U.N., is urgently seeking de-escalation to prevent further civilian suffering.
Israel’s Massive Airstrikes on Lebanon Quick Looks
- Deadly Airstrikes: Israel launched over 800 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, killing more than 356 people and wounding over 1,240 in one day.
- Civilians Flee: Thousands of civilians fled southern Lebanon as Israel expanded its operations, marking the largest displacement since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
- Hezbollah Retaliation: Hezbollah responded with over 100 rockets aimed at northern Israel after Israel’s airstrike killed a senior commander in Beirut, intensifying the conflict.
- U.N. Concerns: The U.N. peacekeeping force expressed deep concern about civilian casualties, warning that continued escalation could have devastating consequences for the region.
- Global Reaction: Egypt condemned Israel’s actions, while President Joe Biden discussed efforts with the UAE to de-escalate the crisis amid calls for a ceasefire.
Deep Look
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reached a dangerous new peak on Monday as Israel launched more than 800 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets across southern and eastern Lebanon, resulting in over 356 deaths, including 24 children and 42 women. The airstrikes represent one of the deadliest escalations in the region since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, with more than 1,240 people wounded in a single day. The Israeli military claims the strikes targeted Hezbollah weapon storage sites, with civilians in these areas urged to evacuate.
The airstrikes followed a Hezbollah missile barrage launched on Sunday, in which the militant group fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel, reaching as far as Haifa. The rocket fire was a direct response to an earlier Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb, which killed Ali Karaki, a senior Hezbollah commander, and numerous civilians, including women and children. The airstrike, which hit the densely populated area of Beir al-Abed, intensified already heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Following the attack, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the airstrikes had successfully destroyed tens of thousands of Hezbollah’s rockets, which had been built up over two decades. Gallant described the strikes as part of a broader strategy to cripple Hezbollah’s military capacity, particularly its rocket and drone capabilities, which Israel believes Hezbollah has hidden within residential areas. “What Hezbollah has built over 20 years is being systematically destroyed,” Gallant said, emphasizing that Israel’s strikes were targeting critical Hezbollah infrastructure.
As the Israeli airstrikes continued, thousands of civilians fled southern Lebanon, jamming the main highways heading north toward Beirut. This massive displacement mirrors the exodus seen during the 2006 war, which forced hundreds of thousands to leave their homes. The United Nations peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, expressed grave concern over the safety of civilians, warning that the escalation could have far-reaching and devastating consequences for both Lebanon and Israel. In a statement, UNIFIL underscored that attacks on civilians are violations of international law and may constitute war crimes.
While Israel expanded its air campaign to include areas of the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, Hezbollah forces retaliated by firing additional rockets into Israel, targeting areas around Haifa and parts of the West Bank. Although most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, some hit homes and injured civilians, sparking further alarm in northern Israel. Schools across northern Israel remained closed as the conflict escalated, with residents ordered to remain close to shelters.
As Israeli officials continue to expand the airstrikes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a public warning to Lebanese civilians, urging them to evacuate their homes if Hezbollah is using them to store weapons. “Take this warning seriously,” Netanyahu said in a video message, explaining that the Israeli military was targeting areas believed to be Hezbollah strongholds. He promised civilians that once the operation was completed, they could safely return to their homes.
Netanyahu’s warning, however, did little to ease the humanitarian crisis unfolding in southern Lebanon. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that the death toll had climbed to 356 by the end of the day, and hospitals in southern Lebanon were struggling to keep up with the influx of wounded, as over 1,240 people required urgent medical attention. In some cases, ambulances and medical facilities were hit in the strikes, further exacerbating the crisis.
The air campaign is the most aggressive action Israel has taken in Lebanon since hostilities reignited in October. Israel’s Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, confirmed that more than 1,300 Hezbollah targets had been struck since the operation began. These targets included cruise missiles, drones, and long-range rockets that were reportedly stored in residential areas throughout southern Lebanon. Hagari provided photos showing weapons hidden in homes, underscoring Israel’s long-standing accusation that Hezbollah uses civilians as human shields by embedding its military infrastructure in populated areas.
International reactions to the escalation have been swift, with Egypt condemning the airstrikes, warning that they would only aggravate the crisis. In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called on world powers and the U.N. Security Council to intervene and de-escalate the conflict, noting that further military actions would have devastating implications for Lebanon’s stability. Egyptian officials stressed that diplomatic efforts must take precedence to prevent further civilian casualties and long-term instability in the region.
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Joe Biden met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss efforts to end the war and facilitate a ceasefire. Biden acknowledged the complex dynamics of the conflict and emphasized that his administration is working with global partners to find a way to de-escalate the fighting and allow displaced civilians to return safely to their homes. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for both sides to respect international humanitarian law and avoid further harm to civilians.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to show signs of further escalation. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s military chief, announced that Israel is preparing for the “next phases” of its military operations, with a focus on dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure that has been built over the past 20 years. While Israel insists that it does not seek a full-scale war, military officials have made it clear that they will continue their operations until Hezbollah’s capabilities are significantly degraded.
The growing violence is also causing ripples in Lebanon’s already fragile political environment. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli airstrikes, describing them as “genocide” and accusing Israel of seeking to destroy Lebanon’s towns and villages. Mikati urged the U.N. Security Council to intervene and called on the international community to “deter the aggression” that is threatening Lebanon’s security.
Amid these escalating tensions, Hezbollah has denied reports that one of its top commanders, Ali Karaki, was killed in an Israeli drone strike. In a statement, Hezbollah insisted that Karaki is in good health and has been moved to a safe location. However, the ongoing airstrikes and Hezbollah’s retaliation indicate that the conflict is far from reaching a resolution.
As the conflict rages on, civilians on both sides of the border remain trapped in the crossfire. The U.N. has continued to call for restraint and the protection of non-combatants, but with both Israel and Hezbollah showing little sign of backing down, the humanitarian toll of this conflict will likely continue to rise.
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