Tel Aviv: Israel on Monday pummeled Lebanon with airstrikes killing over 400 including several women, and children and injuring thousands. Triggering widespread chaos across the country in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, thousands of people were forced to flee parts of southern and eastern Lebanon as concerns over a possible full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. Following the massive air attack by Israel, the United States urged for ‘de-escalation,’ adding that it would be sending additional massive troops to the Middle East and the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
Here are the top points from the latest developments in Israeli strikes in Lebanon:
Death toll in Israeli strikes in Lebanon increases to 492, including some 90 women and kids. Over 1,600 people have been injured in the incident, AP reported citing Lebanon’s health ministry.‘I’ve a Message…’: Netanyahu
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to X and sent out a message to the people of Lebanon. He said, “I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel’s war is not with you. It’s with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage.” The Prime Minister further urged the civilians to take Israel’s warning seriously and asked them to “get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes,” he added.
‘We’ll do Whatever…’: 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. He claimed that Monday’s widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. “We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission. We hope to do it as shortly as we can,” he said.
Netanyahu Issues Warning To Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that recent military actions by Israel have targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon with unprecedented force. In a statement from his office, Netanyahu emphasized, “If Hezbollah has not understood the message, I promise you, it will understand the message.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, following a series of airstrikes aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Commander Killed in Lebanon Air Attack: Hamas
Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades in a statement on Telegram said that its field commander Hussein Mahmoud al-Nader in Southern Lebanon was killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon.
In retaliation to the recent deadly attack in Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into northern Israel.
US Dials Israel; Austin Calls for Gaza Ceasefire
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. Austin expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defence amid escalating Hezbollah attacks. However, he emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution to protect civilians and called for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of hostages.
This comes as the US is sending additional troops to the Middle East during a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.
Jordan Suspends Flight to Beirut
On Monday, Jordan confirmed the indefinite suspension of all flights from Jordanian carriers to Beirut, Lebanon.
US Issues Advisory
The United States Embassy in Beruit issues an advisory in the wake of the deadliest attack in Lebanon. In a post on X, it said, “We updated our travel advisory to urge U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon via commercial options while they are still available. Visit our website for more information:”
Iran’s President Accuses Israel of Seeking Wider Mideast War
Iran’s president accused Israel on Monday of seeking a wider war in the Middle East and laying “traps” to lead his country into a wider conflict.
Masoud Pezeshkian told about two dozen media representatives that Iran doesn’t want to see the current war in Gaza and airstrikes across the Israeli-Lebanon border expanded.
He said while Israel insists it doesn’t want a wider war, it is taking actions that show otherwise.
Pezeshkian pointed to the deadly explosions of pagers, walkie-talkies and other electronic devices in Lebanon last week, which he blamed on Israel, and the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the eve of his inauguration.
UNWRA Chief Calls for ‘Immediate and Unconditional Ceasefire’ in Gaza:
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in a post on X said, “We urgently call for a sustained, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. This is the only way to end the suffering of civilians and save lives.”
‘Saudi Arabia Concerned’
Amid the deadliest attack in Lebanon’s history, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry showed “great concern” in a statement and called on “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint.”
(Inputs from AP)
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