Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Israeli Strikes Kill 492 In Lebanon’s Deadliest Day
Israeli strikes Monday on Lebanon killed more than 490 people, including more than 90 women and children, Lebanese authorities said, in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah.
Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since 2006. The military said Israeli warplanes struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, long- and short-range rockets and attack drones. The spokesman said many were hidden in residential areas, showing photos of what he said were weapons concealed in private homes.
Hezbollah on Monday evening launched nearly 200 rockets towards northern Israel in a retaliatory attack over the Jewish nation’s deadly strikes on Israel. The IDF said most of the rockets were intercepted by its renowned Iron Dome defence system and that no casualties or damages were reported. US State Department spokesperson said Washington was ready to defend its “allies and partners”, while the Pentagon said more troops would be sent to the Middle East.
Israeli military had warned people in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon via a phone call to leave their homes and distance themselves from any buildings having Hezbollah weapons. Israel’s evacuation order came after hundreds of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon last week. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday accused Israel of laying “traps” to lead his country into a wider conflict in the Middle East. On the other hand, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, blamed Hezbollah for using civilians as human shields for the high death toll.
The tensions between Israel and Hezbollah prompted Egypt’s national carrier Egypt Air to cancel its flights to and from Beirut beginning Tuesday due to “current events unfolding in Lebanon”. The airline said the cancellations would remain in effect until the situation stabilised. Jordan also suspended all flights to Beirut until further notice.
