Lebanon has endured another 24 hours of intense violence as Israeli airstrikes have left at least 105 dead and 359 injured, according to health officials. The ongoing Israeli bombardment hit various parts of the country, including central Beirut, for the first time in years, signaling a significant escalation.
Airstrikes Across Lebanon
Air attacks were reported from Sunday into Monday, targeting several regions. While Israeli forces claimed they were hitting Hezbollah positions, Lebanese officials reported strikes on homes and buildings in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanese politicians have condemned the attacks, labeling them a "massacre."
Israeli Strike Hits Beirut
In a marked escalation, an Israeli airstrike hit the Kola Bridge area in central Beirut early Monday, marking the first such attack inside the capital's city limits since the conflict reignited last year. The strike killed at least three people, believed to be members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to local news sources.
Targeting Hezbollah
Israel’s military stated they had targeted senior Hezbollah leaders and members in their attacks. A separate airstrike in the El-Buss refugee camp in southern Lebanon reportedly killed Fateh Sharif, a prominent Hamas commander, along with his family. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health also confirmed that 32 people were killed in an Israeli strike on Ain al-Delb near Sidon, many of them displaced families.
In addition to the strikes, Israel has reportedly assassinated key Hezbollah figures, including Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s chief, in a massive air raid on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Although Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm succession plans, they dismissed media speculation about organizational changes. Despite the leadership losses, Hezbollah has continued its military operations, launching attacks on Israeli bases and cities.
Widespread Destruction and Displacement
The Israeli bombing campaign, which began on September 23, has caused widespread devastation across Lebanon, particularly in the south. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that nearly one million people have been displaced, describing the situation as a major humanitarian crisis. Displaced families have sought shelter in makeshift camps or with friends and relatives, while thousands are now sleeping on the streets of Beirut.
As the violence escalates, many Lebanese are living in fear, uncertain of when the conflict will end. Ali Hijazi, Lebanon director for Lutheran World Relief, described the situation as dire, with people fleeing their homes in minutes with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated in recent weeks. While initially confined to the border region, the conflict has expanded with Israel launching a more aggressive campaign against Hezbollah. This intensifying violence comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, which have claimed more than 41,500 Palestinian lives. The conflict now threatens to spiral into an all-out war, with Iranian-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq also launching attacks in solidarity with Hezbollah.
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With inputs from Aljazeera
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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