At least 492 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded, including women and children, as Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Southern Lebanon on Monday in one of the deadliest attacks since 2006. The Israel military warned the southern and eastern Lebanon citizens to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign on Hezbollah positions in the country.
Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that the Israeli strikes killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and wounded over 1,000 people in a staggering one-day toll for the country still recovering from the fatal attack on communication devices last week.
The Lebanese officials said that the country received more than 80,000 suspected Israeli calls warning its citizens to evacuate. The latest development brings Israel’s 11-month campaign against militant groups closer to an all-out war situation after a week of escalation in Lebanon.
Israel Shows How Hezbollah ‘Exploits’ Civilian Homes
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday released a video explaining how Hezbollah militants are allegedly exploiting civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites and using the Lebanese people as ‘Human Shield.’
In a video message, IDF chief Daniel Hagari claimed that the Israeli forces issued warnings to residents in specific areas of southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes being used for militant activities by Hezbollah. However, he stressed that Hezbollah deliberately countered these efforts, confining civilians to stay in their homes.
Hezbollah Fires Missiles In Retaliation
After the Israeli strike that resulted in casualties of more than 400 Lebanese, Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into northern Israel in retaliation.
The rocket sirens went off in Haifa, Afula, Nazareth and other cities in northern Israel after the Hezbollah widened missile attacks. The Iran-backed militant group said these attacks targeted several Israeli military bases and airfields.
Netanyahu’s Message To Lebanese Citizens
In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told the Lebanese people that Hezbollah is using them as human shields and urged them to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying “Take this warning seriously.” He added that Israel is not at war with Lebanon or them but with the Iran-backed militant group.
“Please, get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes,” Netanyahu said in a video statement shortly after the Israeli army announced it had struck 800 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Ready to Launch Ground Invasion If Needed: Israel
Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army will do “whatever is necessary” to push Hezbollah from Lebanon’s border with Israel.
Hagari claimed Monday’s widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. But he would not give a timeline for the operation and said Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if needed.
He /claimed that Hezbollah has launched some 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone. Israel estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.
Thousands Flee Lebanon Amid Israeli Airstrikes
In Beirut and beyond, schools were quickly repurposed to receive the newly displaced as volunteers scrambled to gather water, medicine and mattresses.
In the coastal city of Sidon, people seeking shelter streamed into schools without mattresses to sleep on yet. Many waited on sidewalks outside.
Ramzieh Dawi had arrived with her husband and daughter after hastily evacuating the village of Yarine, carrying just a few essential items as airstrikes boomed nearby. “These are the only things I brought,” she said, gesturing at the three tote bags she carried.
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