In a relentless campaign that has seen widespread airstrikes, Israel’s ongoing military offensive has now claimed the lives of over 700 civilians in Lebanon, including 85 children. The situation has intensified since Monday, with Israeli forces launching 115 airstrikes across Lebanon, causing catastrophic destruction and civilian deaths. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that 492 civilians, including 35 children, were killed in Monday’s raids alone. Thousands of families have been displaced, fleeing from their homes to seek safety from the bombardment, marking the deadliest assault since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the attacks, calling for immediate intervention from the international community. “This is a plan to destroy Lebanese villages and towns,” he stated, as strikes extended to regions in Mount Lebanon. With over 150,000 people displaced and entire neighborhoods flattened, the violence has drawn widespread condemnation.
Read More: Drama Barzakh Nominated for Asian Academy Creative Awards
Ignoring International Humanitarian Laws
Israel’s aggression has sparked outrage as it blatantly disregards international humanitarian laws. Device blasts targeting civilians, including women and children, have further fueled anger. Monday’s airstrikes saw smoke billowing over Baalbek, while explosions near residential areas created panic. Lebanese journalist Nazir Reda reported scenes of mass evacuation: “Everyone is heading to Beirut with their children—it’s chaos.”
Human rights experts from the UN have raised concerns that Israel’s forces “may have systematically violated the principles of distinction and proportionality,” pointing to indiscriminate targeting of civilians. The UN’s figures estimate that Israel’s ongoing operations in both Gaza and Lebanon have killed over 41,455 civilians. Despite these accusations, Israeli forces continue their assaults, with Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi boasting of targeting Hezbollah’s “combat infrastructure.”
Escalation of Hostilities
What began as a series of cross-border skirmishes has escalated into a full-blown conflict. Israel, shifting its firepower from Gaza to Lebanon, has launched “Operation Northern Arrows,” which it claims is aimed at dismantling Hezbollah strongholds. In response, Hezbollah has launched over 180 projectiles into Israel, prompting air raid sirens in cities like Haifa, where terrified civilians sought shelter. While Israel asserts it is targeting military sites, the overwhelming evidence of civilian casualties tells a different story.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Monday’s strikes were “the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment,” while Lebanese forces have mourned the loss of key commanders, including Hezbollah’s Radwan Force leader, Ibrahim Aqil.
International Outcry
Pakistan and several Arab states have condemned Israel’s actions. Pakistan’s Foreign Office called the aggression a “grave violation” of the UN Charter and demanded Israel be held accountable for its acts of genocide. Arab League members have called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, with nations like Iraq demanding action to halt the bloodshed. Global powers, including the EU and the United States, have expressed alarm over the potential for an all-out regional war. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other world leaders have called for de-escalation, yet Israeli forces continue to press ahead with airstrikes.
With over 2,000 locations targeted in the past week, the death toll is expected to rise, especially as thousands remain buried under the rubble. The situation in Lebanon is dire, as Israel’s bombardment extends, crushing hopes for peace and further plunging the region into chaos.