Dangerous Escalation on the Lebanese Front… 31 Killed in Widespread Israeli Attacks
The confrontation in Lebanon has reached an unprecedented level after Israel launched a broad series of airstrikes targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs and multiple areas in southern Lebanon, leaving dozens dead and wounded in an initial toll.
News Center – As exchanges of fire continue between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, both the military and political landscapes point to a new phase of tension, amid growing fears that the confrontation could expand into a broader war encompassing multiple Lebanese fronts.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health announced on Monday, March 2, that at least 31 people were killed and 149 others wounded in Israeli airstrikes that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon at dawn.
The ministry stated that the Israeli raids directly struck densely populated areas in the southern suburbs, leading to the collapse of residential buildings and a high number of casualties. Several towns in the south were also hit, resulting in injuries and widespread infrastructure damage.
The attacks forced thousands of civilians to flee toward shelters and schools in Beirut, amid fears that military operations could further escalate in the coming hours.
The strikes followed a military operation carried out by Hezbollah, which reportedly used rockets and suicide drones targeting Israeli positions in northern Palestine, most notably the “Mishmar HaCarmel” missile defense site near the city of Haifa.
Hezbollah stated that its operation was in response to the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the development as a pivotal turning point in the course of the confrontation.
Israel, for its part, announced that it had begun “striking Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon,” asserting that its actions were a response to projectiles launched toward Israeli territory. It also issued urgent evacuation orders for more than 50 northern villages, urging residents to move at least one kilometer away toward open areas.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Prime Minister condemned the launching of rockets from Lebanese territory, describing the operation as “irresponsible and suspicious,” and warning that it provides Israeli authorities with “pretexts to destroy Lebanon.” He affirmed that the government would take measures to safeguard civil peace and prevent the country from sliding into a comprehensive confrontation.