Israel’s airstrikes on Monday killed nearly 500 people in Lebanon, including more than 90 women and children. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed that the airstrikes claimed the lives of 492 people and wounded 1,645 people.
Associated Press reported a recorded message by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging all Lebanese civilians to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying, “Take this warning seriously.”
Lebanon’s National News Agency provided timely updates on the rapidly evolving conflict between the Hezbollah and Israeli forces. On Monday evening, three missiles hit southern Beirut’s Beir al-Abed neighborhood, leaving six civilians injured. According to recent updates on yesterday’s strikes, the Israeli military hit an estimated 1,600 sites across Lebanon. The south of Lebanon endured the majority of these strikes, with the east and northeast of the Arab country following suit. Though Israel stands firm about having hit only Hezbollah targets, Lebanese authorities contest that most of the affected sites were residential.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Image Credits: Shaul Golan/Pool/Reuters
“Please get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Lebanese civilians.
Minutes ago, the Israel Defense Forces posted a message online, stating that rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Afula area and the valleys in northern Israel late on Monday night. Israel suspects it hit buildings storing weapons as “secondary explosions were observed” on impact.
The Lebanese military confirmed that Hezbollah has launched upwards of 200 rockets into northern Israel. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah reached their apex when hand-held radio devices used by Hezbollah militants sporadically exploded across Lebanon last week. The slew of airstrikes that followed has brought Lebanon to a standstill, leaving civilians at the mercy of a debilitated state.
“If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice.”
– A translated Arabic message sent by Israel to Lebanese civilians in conflict zones.
According to Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the army will do “whatever is necessary” to drive out Hezbollah from Lebanon’s border.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health minister, Dr. Firass Abiad, warned thousands of civilians evacuating from their homes that “we are in a new stage of the war; initially it was targeted attacks, but now it’s indiscriminate.”
In light of rising regional tensions, the Lebanese education ministry has ordered schools in the southern region of Lebanon to remain closed for the next two days.
