Israeli bombardment in Lebanon/ Lebanese civilian casualties/ Hezbollah conflict escalation/ airstrike fatalities in Lebanon/ Newslooks/ LEBANON/ J. Mansouir/ Morning Edition/ Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes over two days has reached 558, with hundreds more injured. Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue exchanging fire, with Hezbollah launching over 100 rockets into Israel. The conflict, sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, has forced thousands of Lebanese to flee.
Israel-Lebanon Strikes Quick Look:
- Lebanese Health Ministry reports 558 deaths over two days of Israeli airstrikes.
- Thousands have fled southern Lebanon amid escalating violence.
- Hezbollah continues rocket attacks, launching over 100 into Israeli territory.
- Israel strikes Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon.
- The conflict comes in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Two-Day Toll of Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Hits 558
Deep Look:
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, with the death toll in Lebanon reaching 558 over the past two days, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes have also left over 1,600 people wounded, including many women and children. The Israeli military has ramped up its airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in both southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming it is doing “whatever is necessary” to push Hezbollah away from the border.
The conflict, originally ignited by the Israel-Hamas war, has spilled over into Lebanon as Hezbollah has engaged in significant rocket fire targeting Israel. Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into northern Israel as of Tuesday morning, with the Israeli military retaliating by striking rocket launchers. Several civilians in northern Israel were injured as shrapnel from the rockets rained down. Hezbollah’s attacks hit areas like the Upper Galilee and Haifa, adding to the mounting violence on both sides of the border.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israeli airstrikes targeting the southern city of Khan Younis. At least seven Palestinians, including women and children, were killed. Medical officials also reported casualties in the Nuseirat refugee camp after another Israeli strike hit a family home, killing at least four people and wounding 21 others. Gaza hospitals have been overwhelmed with victims, and according to the Health Ministry, more than 41,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began.
Back in Lebanon, the exodus of thousands of civilians from southern regions towards Beirut marks the largest displacement since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The roads leading to the Lebanese capital have been jammed with families trying to escape the bombing, and Beirut’s hotels and apartments have been filled to capacity. For those unable to find shelter, makeshift accommodations have been set up in schools and public spaces, while volunteer kitchens have been mobilized to provide meals for displaced families.
Satellite data also highlights the widespread devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes, with fires seen across vast areas of southern Lebanon. Villages near the Israel-Lebanon border have been particularly hard hit. In response to the increasing violence, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has restricted travel for its employees to Israel’s northern regions and has advised U.S. citizens to leave the country.
Amid the violence, journalists remain at risk, with the recent death of Hadi Al-Sayyed, a 22-year-old reporter for the pan-Arab network Al-Mayadeen, following an Israeli airstrike. He is the third journalist from the network to be killed in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the dangers media professionals face in covering these intensifying hostilities.
In light of the escalating violence, airlines in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have canceled flights to Lebanon, fearing safety risks due to the ongoing exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel.
