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In a series of intense airstrikes, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) targeted more than 1,600 Hezbollah strongholds across southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of over 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women. These attacks mark the deadliest escalation in the region since the Gaza war began, with Israel warning civilians that Hezbollah has been storing rockets, drones, and missiles in residential areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s conflict is with Hezbollah, not the Lebanese people while urging civilians to flee areas where weapons are suspected to be hidden. "For too long Hezbollah has been using you as human shields", he added.
The strikes hit towns in the south and the Bekaa Valley, with significant damage reported in Byblos, which is located over 129km from the Israeli border. The attacks caused mass evacuations, with families fleeing toward northern Lebanon in cars and trucks, creating traffic gridlocks on major highways. Many residents, like Abed Afou, fled in terror, uncertain of their destination but seeking safety in Beirut.
Lebanon, already grappling with an economic crisis and a fractured government, is ill-equipped to handle this escalating conflict. Hezbollah continues to operate independently in several areas, controlling much of the country's Shiite-majority regions. Without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended, the Lebanese government has set up 89 temporary shelters to accommodate over 26,000 displaced people.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets into northern Israel on Monday, triggering alarms in Haifa and even as far south as the West Bank. Though no injuries were reported, the attacks have further escalated tensions. In a video message, Netanyahu reassured Israelis of their military's preparedness, stating that Israel would continue to shift the balance of power in the region.