Israel launched a series of airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, targeting Hezbollah weapons sites and resulting in the deaths of more than 274 people, with over 1,000 injured. The Israeli military urged residents to evacuate areas where they claimed weapons were stored. This led to a mass exodus from southern Lebanon, causing traffic jams on the main highway to Beirut. Social media posts from residents showed images of their towns being hit by Israeli airstrikes.
This escalation followed Hezbollah’s firing of over 100 rockets into northern Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike that killed a top Hezbollah military commander and several members of the group, as well as civilians. The Israeli military stated that they had hit 300 targets connected to Hezbollah weapons sites and expanded their operation to include the Bekaa Valley along Lebanon’s eastern border. Last week, explosions of communication devices in Lebanon, resulting in casualties, were attributed to Israel by Lebanese authorities.
The situation has raised concerns of a potential larger conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the United Nations urging both sides to exercise restraint. The international community has called for a de-escalation of tensions and a return to dialogue to prevent further loss of life. The ongoing violence in Lebanon highlights the fragile situation in the region and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
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