Death toll over 500 as Israel strikes in Lebanon continue amid escalating conflict - Greater Kashmir

New Delhi, Sep 24: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in over 500 deaths in Lebanon due to continuous Israeli air strikes, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. This marks the deadliest day of fighting in nearly two decades. Among the victims were 35 children and 58 women, what Lebanon officials said to the media with another 1,645 people wounded. Thousands of families have been forced to flee or are fleeing  their homes amid panic and fear as the violence escalates.

The Israeli military stated that it targeted 1,300 Hezbollah sites in an attempt to dismantle the group’s infrastructure, which has been expanding since the 2006 war. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad expressed concern over the displacement of thousands of families due to the strikes.

Israeli air strikes began early Monday morning, targeting several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including areas in Sidon, Tyre, and Nabatieh, as well as the Bekaa Valley. Many residents in these regions are desperately trying to leave, following warnings from the Israeli military to evacuate buildings where Hezbollah stores weapons.

In retaliation, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets into northern Israel, injuring two people with shrapnel. The situation has alarmed world leaders, who are all gathered at the UN headquarters for their annual UNSC summit with fears that the region is on the brink of a full-scale war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced his concern, stating he did not want to see Lebanon “become another Gaza.”

Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, described the situation as reported by the BBC “extremely dangerous and worrying” ahead of a UN summit in New York, adding that “we are almost in a full-fledged war.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden assured that efforts were underway to de-escalate the conflict and allow people to return safely to their homes. The Pentagon announced it was sending additional troops to the Middle East as a precautionary measure.

The conflict, that began nearly a year ago by the war in Gaza, has claimed hundreds of lives, most of them Hezbollah fighters, and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah has declared its support for Hamas and vowed to continue fighting until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. Both groups receive backing from Iran and are designated as terrorist organizations by Israel, the UK, and other countries.

The Israel Défence Forces (IDF) claimed to have struck around 1,300 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, including locations where rockets, missiles, and drones were allegedly stored. IDF spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari noted that some casualties may have resulted from secondary explosions caused by Hezbollah’s weapons stored in residential buildings.

Despite the heavy airstrikes, Israeli military officials indicated that they are currently focused on an aerial campaign, and there are no immediate plans for a ground invasion. The IDF aims to reduce Hezbollah’s capacity to launch rockets, push its fighters back from the border, and destroy infrastructure that could threaten Israeli communities.

In response, Hezbollah launched rockets at several Israeli military bases and a weapons manufacturing facility in northern Israel. The IDF reported that 210 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon, with some landing in the Galilee regions, Haifa, and the Golan Heights. On Sunday alone, Hezbollah launched over 150 rockets and drones across the border, prompting Israeli jets to strike hundreds of targets across southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah remains a tough force despite suffering losses, including the deaths of top commanders in recent airstrikes. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and the international community is urging restraint to prevent a wider regional war.