Israel's attacks on Lebanon have caused the deaths of more than 250 people.
The Lebanese Prime Minister accused Israel of "striking defenseless civilians."
Just hours after the announced two-week truce between Iran and the U.S., Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across Lebanese territory. As a result, at least 254 people were killed and over 1,165 were injured. Al Jazeera reported on this.
According to the Lebanese Civil Defense service, the attacks occurred on Wednesday. Following the strikes, the country's healthcare system has come under severe pressure.
Health Minister Rakan Nosiriddin stated that Israel had launched "over 100 airstrikes," describing the situation as a "dangerous escalation." He said emergency services are still transporting the wounded to hospitals and officials are requesting assistance from international organizations.
The Israeli military announced that it had carried out its largest coordinated strike within the framework of the military operation ongoing in Lebanon since March 2nd. The attacks covered Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and the country's southern regions.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the strikes were aimed at "Hezbollah's infrastructure." According to him, Israeli forces delivered a surprise strike against hundreds of fighters located in command centers across Lebanon. This was assessed as the largest blow to Hezbollah since the "Operation Pagers."
The Israeli side acknowledged that the majority of the targeted objects were located in areas inhabited by civilians, stating that "measures were taken to avoid harming innocent civilians."
Witnesses reported powerful explosions in and around Beirut, with smoke covering the sky. Many people fled into the streets in panic. The Lebanese Red Cross announced that 100 emergency response teams had been mobilized.
Al Jazeera correspondent Malcolm Webb reported that chaos and panic erupted in the city as the strikes hit unexpected areas. The injured were trying to reach hospitals, with some abandoning their vehicles due to traffic congestion.
Hezbollah condemned the attacks, stating that the strikes targeted civilian areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the city of Sidon, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called these strikes a "full-fledged war crime."
The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis, called on the parties to immediately halt military actions. She emphasized the need to start negotiations based on the 2006 Resolution 1701.
These attacks occurred against the backdrop of a truce announced following a war lasting over five weeks between the U.S. and Iran. Mediator Pakistan stated that Lebanon was also included within the framework of the agreement.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the truce does not apply to Lebanon and announced that strikes against Hezbollah would continue. He added that Israel is ready to resume confrontation with Iran at any time.
Prior to the attacks, Israeli military forces issued a warning regarding mandatory evacuation for an area up to 40 kilometers from the border with Lebanon. Residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut were called upon to leave their homes.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of "striking defenseless civilians" and called on the international community to exert pressure.
Hezbollah representatives stated that if Israel does not adhere to the truce, response measures could be taken by Iran and its allies.
On the same day, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the peace and negotiations with the U.S. "groundless," noting that the 10-point plan proposed by Iran had been violated several times.
According to official information, over 1,530 people have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes since March 2nd. Among the victims are over 100 women and 130 children. Due to the conflict, more than 1.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes.
