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*Israeli airstrikes hit dozens of Hezbollah
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah has continued on an upward trajectory as Israeli airstrikes hit dozens of Hezbollah with Lebanon suffering its deadliest day in decades after a series of airstrikes killed 492 people, the Lebanon's health ministry said.
The casualties include 35 children and 58 women, with over 1,600 injured. The strikes mark the deadliest day of conflict since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
The strike hit southern and eastern Lebanon, with Israeli forces calling on residents to evacuate those areas.
The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that "492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, have died, and 1,645 others have been injured in this wave of airstrikes."
In a message to Lebanese civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to evacuate. “Please get out of harm’s way now,” he said, adding, “Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, emphasised that Israel’s forces would take “whatever is necessary” to remove Hezbollah from Lebanon’s border with Israel.
He noted that the strikes had posed significant damage to Hezbollah, although no timeline was given for the continuation of military operations.
Thousands of Lebanese citizens have fled from the south, with highways jammed as they make their way towards Beirut, marking the largest exodus since the 2006 conflict.
As tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, the situation in Lebanon has led to significant international disruption, with over 30 international flights to and from Beirut cancelled on Tuesday.
The Rafic Hariri International Airport’s website confirmed cancellations from several major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, and various airlines from the United Arab Emirates.
This latest assault comes as Lebanon struggles to recover from a recent attack on its communication infrastructure.
