• Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed 558 people and injured 1,835, marking the deadliest day in Lebanon in decades
• Israel’s most recent strike has hit the capital city of Lebanon, Beirut, and is said to have targeted a six-storey building
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon overnight have killed at least 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women, and injured 1,835 more, according to Lebanese authorities. The strikes, which targeted Hezbollah military facilities in multiple locations, took place late Monday into early Tuesday, marking the deadliest day Lebanon since the Lebanese civil war. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes as tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia escalate. Israel’s most recent attack occurred today as strikes hit southern Beirut (capital city of Lebanon).
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claims to have hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in the most recent wave of airstrikes, focusing on missile launchers, military buildings, and weapons storage sites. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the strikes were part of a continued effort to neutralise Hezbollah’s growing threat along Israel’s northern border.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched multiple attacks on Israeli military installations, including an explosives factory 60 kilometers inside Israel, which it hit with Fadi rockets, named after Fadi Hassan Tawil, who was killed by Israel in 1987. He was the brother of Wissam Tawil, the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, who was killed by Israel in January 2024. The group also targeted the Megiddo airfield near Afula in northern Israel, launching three separate assaults.
Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians are now displaced, many fleeing their homes in southern Lebanon under heavy traffic and dangerous conditions. “We’re looking at tens of thousands (of displaced in Lebanon), but we expect those figures to rise,” said Matthew Saltmarsh, a spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Hezbollah is facing mounting pressure not only from Israeli airstrikes but also from a significant security breach it suffered last week. Thousands of communication devices used by Hezbollah members, including pagers and walkie-talkies, were destroyed in a massive explosion, widely attributed to Israeli intelligence operations.
Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah remains a potent force. Founded in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the group has grown into one of the most sophisticated militias in the region, boasting advanced weaponry and years of combat experience. Any ground invasion by Israel into southern Lebanon, as seen during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, would likely result in fierce resistance from Hezbollah fighters.
Some International Reactions:
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm over the situation, highlighting the large number of civilian casualties along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Lebanon and Israel. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized Guterres’ concern for the safety of civilians in both southern Lebanon and northern Israel, as well as for UN personnel in the region. UNICEF chief Catherine Russell echoed these sentiments, raising concerns about the severe impact on children, who are facing “alarming levels of psychological distress” due to displacement and ongoing air raids.
Iran
Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, condemned the Israeli strikes, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning that Israel is attempting to provoke a broader conflict. “We want to live in peace, we don’t want war”, Pezeshkian said, accusing Israel of pushing the region toward all-out conflict. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strikes as “insane” and warned of “dangerous consequences”.
Gulf Nations
Qatar condemned Israel’s aggression “in the strongest terms,” blaming the continued escalation on Israel’s repeated violations of international law. Saudi Arabia expressed “great concern” over the conflict’s developments and called for restraint, while the United Arab Emirates emphasised its opposition to “violence and uncalculated actions”, urging respect for state sovereignty.
United States
The United States voiced concern over the growing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. President Joe Biden indicated that his administration was working to de-escalate the situation, stating, “My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we’re working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely”. The Pentagon also announced it was sending additional troops to the Middle East, although details about the size and purpose of the deployment were not disclosed.
Europe and G7
European leaders have been vocal in their calls for an immediate ceasefire. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed deep concern over the ongoing air raids, calling for de-escalation. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, warned that the region was on the verge of a “full-fledged war”, calling for an all-out effort to stop the violence. The G7 also issued a statement, warning that the conflict risked pulling the entire Middle East into a regional war with “unimaginable consequences”.
Russia and China
The Kremlin warned that the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah could destabilise the region and lead to complete chaos. Russia has urged for a ceasefire and a return to diplomacy to prevent further instability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, China reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and condemned Israel’s attacks, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stating that Beijing stands with Lebanon and its Arab allies.
Non-Governmental Reactions
Humanitarian organizations have also raised alarm over the growing civilian toll. Save the Children highlighted the plight of children in conflict zones, noting that over 1.5 million children are out of school due to the violence. The UK-based charity described the scenes of desperate families fleeing their homes, with children terrified by the sounds of drones and fighter jets.
Moving Forward
Journalist and author Antony Loewenstein criticised the Western world’s response to the ongoing conflict, stating that “Arab and Palestinian lives or Lebanese lives don’t matter” as much as Israeli lives. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said, “I think what we’ve seen in the last 24 hours is reflected on how much of the Western world has responded since October 7”.
Loewenstein further criticised the Biden administration, saying it lacks “the guts” to stop Israel and is “actually supporting” its actions. He added, “In some ways, the US sees what Israel is doing is doing the US’s bidding,” particularly in confronting Hezbollah and Iran.
The Jerusalem Post quoted Israeli army Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi as saying that the military will “accelerate offensive actions today and reinforce all units”. Halevi emphasized, “We must not give Hezbollah a break”, and stated that Israel will “continue to operate at full strength”. He also noted that “the current situation requires continued intensive operations across all fronts”.
The Israeli military has confirmed a strike in Beirut. This follows Israel’s earlier warnings of escalating operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and beyond. Israel’s actions demonstrate that they are following through on their threats, making it clear that this is no longer psychological warfare. This should serve as a serious warning, particularly when Israel expresses its vision for a “Greater Israel” a concept that threatens the sovereignty and stability of neighbouring countries in the region.
