Military Escalation: 100 Dead and 400 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon

Military Escalation: 100 Dead and 400 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon
September 23, 2024, 1:37 pm

التصعيد العسكري: 100 قتيل و400 جريح في غارات إسرائيلية على لبنان

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported 100 fatalities and over 400 injuries resulting from Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas in Eastern and Southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced that it had shelled the cities of Haifa and Galilee with rockets.

Israeli warplanes launched more than 250 airstrikes on different regions in Eastern and Southern Lebanon early this Monday. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the strikes targeted towns including Mays al-Jabal, Aytaroun, Hawla, Al-Tayba, Markaba, and Bani Hayan, in addition to Jabal al-Rihan, the heights of the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, Tyre, Bint Jbeil, Haniyin, Zawtar, and the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.

The airstrikes also affected the vicinity of areas such as Sha'are, Harbatta, and Hermel, as well as the outskirts of Shamsitar, Taria, and Bouday in Eastern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese News Agency, more than 80 Israeli airstrikes targeted several locations in the Nabatieh province in southern Lebanon.

The agency noted that Israeli warplanes also carried out intense strikes on areas east of Tyre, in addition to an attack on the course of the Litani River at the borders of Dlafah in southern Lebanon. It added that Israeli reconnaissance aircraft are flying over the villages in the western and central sectors, reaching the Litani River.

In a related development, the Lebanese Minister of Education announced the closure of schools and universities today and tomorrow in the south, Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Additionally, Hezbollah reported the deaths of two of its members during clashes with Israel in southern Lebanon, raising its death toll to 505 since October 8.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that it is conducting intensive strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, stating that it has hit more than 300 objectives. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari indicated that the military operation against Lebanon was a preemptive strike in response to observed movements by Hezbollah targeting Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated in an interview with Channel 12 that the current situation marks “a new phase of fighting” in southern Lebanon, urging Israelis to remain steadfast in the coming days. Furthermore, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that an Israeli security source indicated that the air force would initiate extensive and powerful strikes throughout Lebanon in the upcoming hours.

Lastly, the Associated Press reported an Israeli military official stating that Tel Aviv is focused on air operations and does not have immediate plans for a ground operation.

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