Israel has vowed it will not cease its attacks on Hezbollah – and that strikes will only be accelerated.
Lebanon’s health ministry has said Israeli airstrikes in the country since early on Monday have killed 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women.
Health minister Firass Abiad told reporters on Tuesday that 1,835 people were wounded during the same period and were taken to 54 hospitals around Lebanon.
Mr Abiad added that four paramedics were among those killed, and 16 paramedics and firefighters were among the wounded.
Israel ‘airdropping leaflets with dangerous barcode’ – follow live
The recent escalation comes on the back of pager and radio explosions targeting Hezbollah, which have largely been attributed to Israel.
Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday that Hezbollah must not be given a break, and attacks on the Iran-backed group must be stepped up.
“The situation requires continued, intense action in all arenas,” he added.
Israel’s military released footage said to show airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages, in Sidon, Lebanon, this week. Pic: AP
In other major developments:
• 50 children are among the dead after Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week
• Diplomatic efforts continue in the UN general assembly amid fears of all-out war in the region
• British Defence Secretary John Healey is set to chair a COBRA meeting in light of escalating tensions
• British nationals have been advised to leave Lebanon while they still can
• The streets of southern Lebanon were gridlocked as thousands sought to flee further Israeli strikes
• Hezbollah claims to have conducted retaliatory strikes on Israel
• In Israel’s latest attacks on Beirut, reports claim that Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi was killed
Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system fires to intercept rockets launched from Lebanon. Pic: AP
Rockets launched at each other
Many fear the two are edging towards all-out war as this week has seen much-intensified hostilities in the region.
Rocket sirens blared in northern Israel on Tuesday as volleys of attacks were launched from Lebanon, and Israel’s Iron Dome defence system was activated.
Rocket sirens blared throughout the morning in Israel’s north. Video circulating on Israeli media showed explosions on a main road, with drivers pulling over and lying on the ground next to their vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said that it struck more than 1,500 Hezbollah targets on Monday and Tuesday, destroying missiles, rockets and drones – including weapons stored in private homes.
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon. Pic: AP
This map shows data from NASA picking up thermal activity in Lebanon when Israel stepped up missile attacks this week
The initial rounds of Israeli attacks sent thousands of families fleeing from their homes in south Lebanon, amid fears of further strikes.
Photos showed gridlocked roads heading north, in what is said to be the biggest exodus since the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The government has ordered schools and universities to close across the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky’s Alex Crawford witnesses new airstrikes
Diplomatic efforts continue
The UN general assembly is taking place in the shadow cast by escalating tensions in the Middle East and conflicts elsewhere.
Leading powers will be working to take steps away from the escalating clashes.
The US has insisted it still thinks de-escalation on Israel’s northern border is possible and it can find a path to a ceasefire in Gaza as well.
However, recent days are a far cry from apparent optimism in the Biden administration last month when the president said they were “closer than we’ve ever been” to a ceasefire.
