The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a massive operation against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties and prompting international alarm.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced that “a large number of terrorists” from Hezbollah were killed in air raids.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 492 deaths and 1,645 injuries, though these figures include both militants and civilians.
Israeli forces claim to have struck over 1,300 Hezbollah-linked targets, including rocket storage facilities and drone launch sites.
Defence Minister Yoav Galant stated that “tens of thousands of Hezbollah rockets” were destroyed in the operation.
A source close to Hezbollah reported that Ali Karak, the group’s southern front commander, was targeted in a Beirut suburb strike.
However, Hezbollah later denied this claim, stating Karak was “well” and in a “safe location”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate “dangerous areas”, claiming Hezbollah uses them as human shields.
The escalation has drawn sharp criticism from regional powers.
Iraq called for an emergency summit of Arab countries at the UN General Assembly to address the situation.
Egypt requested UN Security Council intervention, while Turkey warned the strikes could plunge the region into chaos.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over civilian casualties, particularly noting reports of women and children among the dead.
The Lebanese Health Ministry announced that at least 356 people were killed in today’s Israeli strikes – including 24 children and 42 women – while 1,246 were injured.
(information from amna.gr)
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