Israel Launches Deadliest Airstrikes in Lebanon Since 2006: Over 350 Killed, Thousands Displaced
On Monday, Israel launched a series of devastating airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, killing more than 350 people in what has become the deadliest assault since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military has warned residents in these areas to evacuate ahead of a wider air campaign targeting Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon.
Key Developments:
Israel Strikes Hezbollah Weapon Sites:
According to an Israeli military spokesman, warplanes targeted 1,300 Hezbollah sites, destroying tens of thousands of rockets in the group’s arsenal. However, Lebanon’s Health Minister reported that some of the strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, medical centers, and ambulances.
Mass Evacuations Underway:
Thousands of Lebanese residents have fled the south as the conflict escalates. On Monday, the main highway out of Sidon, a southern port city, was jammed with cars heading north toward Beirut. Many displaced families are now seeking shelter in the capital and other parts of Lebanon.
U.S. Response:
In response to the growing conflict, the Pentagon announced it was sending additional troops to the Middle East. President Joe Biden also stated that his administration is working to de-escalate the situation.
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
As the violence intensifies, schools in Beirut and other regions have been quickly converted into makeshift shelters for displaced families. Volunteers are working around the clock to collect essential supplies such as water, medicine, and mattresses for those fleeing the violence.
In the coastal city of Sidon, evacuees poured into schools that were unprepared to house them. With no mattresses yet available, many were forced to wait outside on the sidewalks.
Among those displaced was Ramzieh Dawi, who evacuated the village of Yarine with her husband and daughter, carrying only a few essential items. “These are the only things I brought,” she said, pointing to the three tote bags she carried.
Similarly, Fatima Chehab fled her home in Nabatieh with her three daughters. Her family had already been displaced once before, seeking refuge with her brother. “We first fled to stay with my brother in a nearby area, and then they bombed three places next to his house,” she recounted.
Looking Ahead
As Israel’s military intensifies its air campaign against Hezbollah, fears of further civilian casualties and displacement continue to grow. With thousands of people already fleeing the conflict zones, the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating, and efforts to de-escalate the crisis are now more urgent than ever.
