RNS: In a significant escalation of violence, Israeli air strikes on Lebanon on Monday have resulted in the deaths of 356 people, including 24 children, according to the Lebanese health minister. This marks the deadliest cross-border confrontation since the conflict began in Gaza on October 7.
The current violence was triggered by an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel, which has led to involvement from Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the region. Israeli forces reported targeting approximately 1,100 Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon within the last 24 hours, including a “targeted strike” in Beirut.
Media reports indicate that the strike in Beirut was aimed at Ali Karake, Hezbollah’s third-in-command, following the recent elimination of key commanders. Lebanese state media have also reported additional air raids in eastern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed to have struck five sites within Israel.
Air raid sirens were activated in the coastal city of Haifa, prompting residents to seek shelter as tensions escalated.
World leaders have called for both Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate the situation, as the focus of conflict has shifted sharply from Israel’s southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.
Earlier, Israel announced the killing of Hezbollah’s elite unit commander, Ibrahim Aqil, in a strike in southern Lebanon. Aqil was wanted by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut and led Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit.
