Beirut, Lebanon – As tens of thousands of people fled southern Lebanon amid escalating violence, Israel vowed on Tuesday to intensify its aerial campaign against Hezbollah, leading to the most significant casualties since the 2006 war between the two sides.
With the death toll nearing 600, Israeli officials announced the acceleration of “Operation Northern Arrows” while Hezbollah retaliated by launching more cross-border attacks. The situation prompted Washington to make preparations for evacuating Americans from the region, with fears of the conflict expanding into a broader regional crisis.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the situation as almost a full-fledged war, emphasizing the severity of the escalating violence. In response, the Israelis claimed to have eliminated a top Hezbollah leader, Ibrahim Kobeisi, who led the organization’s Missiles and Rockets Force.
As roads leading out of southern Lebanon became congested with residents fleeing the area, the United Nations Refugee Agency estimated that tens of thousands of Lebanese had been displaced from their homes. The escalating conflict prompted UNICEF to warn of catastrophic consequences for children and families in Lebanon.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that nearly 500 people were killed on Monday, with the death toll rising to at least 558 by Tuesday. In addition, six more people were killed in a targeted strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israel continued its aerial bombardment, targeting Hezbollah locations in multiple waves of strikes.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi reiterated the need for intensifying offensive actions to prevent Hezbollah from gaining ground. The militant group, on the other hand, continued to launch rockets into northern Israel, pledging to continue its campaign until Israel ceased its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Amid the escalating conflict, the United States expressed concerns about Israel’s strategy of escalating tensions to de-escalate the situation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to address the crisis at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where he will seek to find ways to reduce the escalating violence in the region.
Overall, the deteriorating situation in southern Lebanon has raised significant concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with both Israel and Hezbollah showing no signs of backing down from their aggressive postures. The international community remains on high alert as the violence continues to escalate.