At least 492 people have died in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry said, marking the deadliest day of conflict in the region in nearly two decades. Israel has carried out over 1,600 airstrikes against Hezbollah sites, trying to destroy infrastructure created since the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets into northern Israel, wounding at least two people.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported 35 dead children and 58 dead women, with 1,645 others injured. It did not specify how many of the casualties were civilians versus combatants.
Global Reaction and Deteriorating War Fears
World leaders are increasingly fearful that the firestorm may erupt into a all-out war soon. UN Secretary General António Guterres said Lebanon could become another Gaza, while EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the escalation is “extremely dangerous.” The U.S. has confirmed it is involved in de-escalation efforts and the Pentagon has sent more troops to the Middle East.Hezbollah Action and Israeli Response
Hezbollah, which has also aligned itself with Hamas, is retaliating for Israel’s airstrikes by firing hundreds of rockets into Gaza. Israel itself is upping the ante in air raids against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah media office said that only one fighter was confirmed dead, while Israel said it lost a “large number.”Displacement and Civilian Casualty
Thousands of Lebanese families have been compelled out of their homes, mainly from southern Lebanon and Beirut, after Israel began dropping warning notices to evacuate civilians who live within areas where weapons of Hezbollah may be kept. Hezbollah has denied that weapons were kept in civilian homes with Israel and further added that videos documenting the taking of its caches reveal extensive destruction and secondary explosions resulting from Hezbollah’s caches.Future Demands for Ceasefire
During the bloodshed, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati insisted that an immediate stop should be brought to this “war of extermination” that Israel is waging against them, while the leadership in Hezbollah said they would not retreat. With every one who has lost their life and every building destroyed, it appears that no end is near since Hezbollah stated that they will keep on attacking as long as the operations by Israel continue to take place.
This conflict is one of the region’s biggest escalations since the Lebanon War in 2006 and could become yet another wider regional crisis if left unchecked.
