At least 492 people, including women and children, were killed and over 1,000 injured as Israel launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, in one of the deadliest assaults since 2006.
The Israeli military urged residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate as it expanded its air campaign targeting Hezbollah positions.
Lebanon's health ministry confirmed the fatalities, reporting that 35 children and 58 women were among the dead. More than 1,000 people were wounded in what marks a devastating toll for a country still reeling from last week’s attack on communication infrastructure.
Lebanese officials stated that over 80,000 suspected Israeli warning calls were received, advising civilians to evacuate. The escalation brings Israel’s 11-month campaign against militant groups closer to a full-scale conflict following a week of heightened tensions in Lebanon.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Lebanese people that Hezbollah is using them as human shields and urged them to heed evacuation warnings. "Take this warning seriously," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel is not at war with Lebanon but with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
"Please, get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can return safely to your homes," Netanyahu stated, shortly after the Israeli military confirmed strikes on 800 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
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