Lebanon says 356 people were killed and 1,030 injured in Israel bombing
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TEL AVIV—Israel Escalates Airstrikes in Lebanon Amid Heightening Conflict
Israel significantly intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon this Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 356 people and injuring nearly 1,030, signaling the potential start of a broader military campaign.
Israeli authorities confirmed that their forces targeted 1,300 “terrorist sites” linked to Hezbollah, the militant group that has been in an ongoing conflict with Israel for nearly a year. This escalation comes as the conflict with Hezbollah, backed by Iran, shows no signs of cooling down. For more coverage on this issue, visit CNN’s article on the conflict.
This day marked the highest number of casualties on this front in 2024, surpassing any conflict between the two since their 34-day war in 2006.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, commented on the death toll, stating that many of the fatalities included Hezbollah militants near their weapons caches. According to Hagari, Hezbollah has been concealing advanced weaponry, such as long-range cruise missiles and rockets, within civilian homes.
“We face challenging days ahead,” Hagari warned, emphasizing that the IDF would continue its offensive without pause. Stay updated on this story by visiting FocalPointNewz, where world news and trends are regularly reported.
Earlier, Israeli forces expanded their airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon’s eastern region, urging civilians to evacuate areas near Hezbollah positions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, saying, “Whoever tries to harm us, we will strike back harder.” He also promised that the current operations would shift the balance of power in the northern region. For additional sports and world news updates, you can check out FOC Sports.
Hezbollah Retaliates and Civilian Impact
Hezbollah, in a statement, confirmed it fired dozens of rockets at an Israeli military post in Galilee and targeted facilities of Israel’s Rafael defense company for the second consecutive day. One Israeli was reportedly injured by shrapnel.
The situation in Lebanon remains dire, with its Health Ministry reporting 356 deaths and over 1,000 injured. Hospitals in southern and eastern regions have suspended nonessential procedures to prioritize those wounded in the strikes. Schools, colleges, and universities were also ordered closed.
For the first time, the IDF issued a public warning to Lebanese civilians, advising them to distance themselves from Hezbollah strongholds. Israeli military sources indicated that, for now, their operations remain limited to aerial strikes, without an imminent ground assault.
Israel’s goal, the military said, is to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure and create safer conditions for citizens in northern Israel, where over 60,000 residents have already been evacuated. Across the border in Lebanon, over 100,000 people have been displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
“We must bring our citizens back home,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized, acknowledging the growing threat of escalation and holding Hezbollah accountable for initiating the conflict.
President Joe Biden has also voiced concern over the rising tensions, stating, “We will do everything we can to prevent a broader war.”
The U.S. State Department has issued an alert urging American citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available, as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has raised fears of further escalation in the region.
For more in-depth coverage of this developing situation, visit CNN’s latest updates or FocalPointNewz.