Israeli Strikes Kill 558 in Lebanon, Majority Civilians

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least 558 people, including 50 children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, making it the deadliest day of cross-border violence since the Gaza war began. The conflict has intensified dramatically, with Arab nations strongly condemning Israel’s actions against Hezbollah, marking the highest levels of hostilities in nearly a year.

The conflict erupted after Hamas and other Palestinian militants launched a massive attack on Israel on October 7, drawing in Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups. Israel responded by targeting around 1,600 sites across southern and eastern Lebanon, including a “targeted strike” in Beirut, as part of what it calls “Operation Northern Arrows.”

Hezbollah confirmed that one of its leaders, Ali Karake, had survived a targeted strike in Beirut after reports suggested he was the target. The group launched a series of missile attacks on Israeli military sites in retaliation, with air raid sirens sounding in the coastal city of Haifa.

As of Tuesday, the death toll from Israeli strikes had reached 558, including 50 children, with 1,835 people wounded and taken to hospitals across Lebanon. The strikes also killed four paramedics and injured 16 others, as thousands of families fled their homes.

The violence extended to the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, where explosions sent smoke billowing into the sky. The conflict has caused widespread panic, with people fleeing southern Lebanon and seeking shelter in Beirut.

Global leaders have urged both Israel and Hezbollah to step back from the brink of all-out war. France and Egypt called for the U.N. Security Council to intervene, while Iraq requested an urgent meeting of Arab states. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the current escalation as a “significant peak” in operations against Hezbollah, claiming it was the group’s “most difficult week” since its founding.

Hezbollah, in response, launched rocket attacks on Israeli military sites near Haifa and other bases. The group’s actions follow the death of one of its commanders, Ibrahim Akil, in an Israeli strike last Friday. Since the beginning of cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel in October, tens of thousands of people have fled their homes on both sides.

Israeli officials stated that their goal is to reduce threats from Hezbollah by pushing the group back from the border and destroying its infrastructure. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the international community to prevent Israel from carrying out what he described as a plan to destroy Lebanese villages and towns.

As the situation worsens, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized that Washington is working to de-escalate the conflict to allow people to safely return to their homes. The Pentagon announced the deployment of additional military personnel to the Middle East, while a U.S. official expressed opposition to an Israeli ground invasion targeting Hezbollah.

Global leaders, including the G7 foreign ministers, have warned of the “unimaginable consequences” of a potential regional war. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that Israel and Hezbollah are on the verge of a “full-fledged war.” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over civilian casualties in Lebanon, while the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon warned of “far-reaching and devastating consequences” if the violence continues.

Qatar, which has been involved in mediation efforts in Gaza, condemned Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, warning that the region is “on the brink of the abyss.” Turkey echoed these concerns, warning of potential chaos, while Jordan called for an immediate end to the escalation. The Palestinian foreign ministry also condemned the Israeli strikes and sent medical support to assist those wounded in Lebanon. Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, accused Israel of attempting to create a broader conflict.