Over 270 dead, hundreds hurt as Israel conducts major strikes on Hezbollah

On September 23, Lebanese health officials reported that at least 274 individuals were killed and over a thousand injured due to intensified Israeli airstrikes, which the military claimed were aimed at preventing an attack from Hezbollah. This escalation comes amid an ongoing conflict triggered by the war in Gaza.

Dr. Firass Abiad, the Lebanese health minister, confirmed that 1,024 people had been injured in the recent bombings. Among the casualties were women, children, and paramedics, highlighting the widespread impact of the strikes.

Local media outlets characterized the airstrikes, which have been described as “Israeli madness,” as the most severe since Hezbollah began its involvement in supporting Gaza on October 8. Observers noted that the violence has surpassed that seen in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their operations were focused on targeting Hezbollah’s weapons, reportedly concealed within civilian residences. Israeli warplanes executed strikes on more than 300 locations across the Bekaa Valley, situated east of Beirut. These efforts were marked by significant airstrikes in residential areas, though it remains unclear how many of the victims were civilians or Hezbollah operatives.

In addition to the airstrikes, Israeli settlements in the southern region near the border were also targeted, leading to injuries in the town of Aitaroun. The scale and intensity of these operations have raised concerns over the humanitarian impact, with the IDF maintaining that their strikes were “precise, intelligence-based strikes against terrorist targets.”

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that every struck residence was believed to contain weapons. He had previously urged civilians living close to Hezbollah-operated buildings to evacuate for their safety. The IDF justified its actions by asserting that Hezbollah had, for over two decades, deployed its arms within civilian areas, effectively turning southern Lebanon into a battlefield.

Hagari emphasized that the weapons, which ranged from cruise missiles to drones, were stored inside civilian homes and hidden behind the Lebanese population. He called on residents to heed the IDF’s warnings, stating that it was for their own protection. The IDF sent warnings through various channels, including social media, urging residents to evacuate but did not specify where to go.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli actions, decrying what he termed a “war of extermination.” As Israeli assaults continued, fears grew regarding the potential expansion of the conflict across the region. Both Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in retaliatory cross-border strikes since the onset of Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza nearly a year ago. However, recent developments have intensified the situation as both parties have relaxed their previous restraints.

Hezbollah has launched rocket attacks that reached deep into Israeli territory, including areas as far south as the port city of Haifa. In a particularly violent outbreak the previous week, 37 individuals were killed, and nearly 3,000 more were injured. This attack involved Hezbollah militants using pagers and walkie-talkies to trigger simultaneous explosions, with Israel yet to issue a response.

The escalation of violence raises concerns that the conflict, which has largely been confined to Israel and Gaza, may extend to encompass the broader region. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have announced a new goal: the safe return of tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to northern areas along the Lebanese border.

Approximately 60,000 Israelis have been evacuated from regions near the border due to persistent artillery and missile strikes. While Hezbollah has threatened retaliation in response to previous Israeli actions, Israel has expressed its determination to restore normalcy by allowing its citizens to return home.

On a diplomatic front, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that his administration is actively working to prevent the conflict from escalating further. He reassured reporters that efforts to contain the situation were ongoing, declaring, “We’re going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out.”

Source: UPI