By Sean Mueck
Lebanon’s health ministry has stated at least 492 are dead after Israel launched extensive air strikes on southern Lebanon on Monday, allegedly targeting Hezbollah weapon stashes. This marks the deadliest day in Lebanon since their civil war 34 years ago. An additional 1,645 were injured. Among the 492 dead, 35 were children.
Tens of thousands of civilians have evacuated the region in search of safety after Israeli intelligence told residents to leave their homes. After routine strikes from both sides for nearly a year, this is Israel’s largest attack on Hezbollah since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad has stated thousands have been displaced from the attack.
Hezabollah has since retaliated, launching 200 missiles into northern Israel and injuring two.
Israeli officials have stated to CNN that Netanyahu has told the security cabinet that their goal in Lebanon is to cut “Hezbollah from the war with Hamas.” Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has stated the Israeli military is “preparing for the next phases” in Lebanon.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres released a statement saying he is “gravely alarmed by the escalating situation along the Blue Line and the large number of civilian casualties, including children, reported by the Lebanese authorities, amidst the most intense Israeli bombing campaign since last October.” He went on to state that he is also “gravely alarmed by the continued strikes by Hezbollah into Israel.” Guterres finished off his statement by saying, “All efforts must be devoted to a diplomatic solution.”
While holding talks with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Biden stated, “I’ve been briefed on the latest developments in Israel and Lebanon. My team is in constant contact with their counterparts, and we’re working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely.”
The Pentagon has stated they will send a small number of US soldiers to the Middle East after the increasing volatile tensions, which threaten to further spiral out of control.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon stated, “In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region.”
As strikes become even more frequent between Lebanon and Israel, analysts warn of the ever increasing danger for all-out war to break out between the two nations.
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