Tens of thousands of individuals have fled southern Lebanon as Israel announced plans to intensify its airstrikes, which have already resulted in the highest number of casualties in the region since the conflict nearly two decades ago.
The Israeli Defense Forces indicated they would operate at “full force” as the death toll in Lebanon exceeded 500, coinciding with a new wave of cross-border attacks by Hezbollah. This exchange between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group has heightened concerns about a wider regional conflict. The United States is preparing to dispatch troops to assist with the evacuation of American citizens, while numerous international flights have been canceled.
The escalation of violence prompted heavy traffic as residents of southern Lebanon hurried to escape, taking whatever belongings they could manage after Israel urged them to leave and subsequently initiated extensive bombing raids. As of Tuesday, the United Nations Refugee Agency reported that tens of thousands have vacated their homes in the southern region.
According to local health officials, nearly 500 fatalities were recorded in Lebanon on Monday alone, marking the deadliest Israeli airstrikes since the 2006 conflict with Hezbollah. The death toll climbed to at least 558 by Tuesday, including approximately 50 children and 94 women, with injuries reported for at least 1,835 individuals, per the Lebanese health ministry.
Israel has notably intensified its air operations following significant attacks on Hezbollah’s communication infrastructure, amid ongoing hostilities that have displaced many on both sides of the border. Ali Hassan, who fled from Tyre, a major city on the Mediterranean coast, shared his struggles on the journey, noting that many relatives slept on the streets due to a shortage of shelter.
UNICEF cautioned that any further escalation would have catastrophic implications for children and families in Lebanon, which is grappling with a severe economic and political crisis, compounded by the fallout from the massive Port of Beirut explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic.
As families fled amidst fiery explosions, fears of a broader regional conflict have escalated. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the situation in Lebanon as “extremely dangerous and worrying,” indicating that it felt akin to being on the brink of a full-scale war.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military continued its bombardment, claiming to have targeted numerous Hezbollah locations overnight as part of “Operation Northern Arrows.” Additionally, they reported a targeted strike in Beirut, with further details pending.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi affirmed that operations would continue at “full force,” emphasizing the need to keep up pressure on Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Hezbollah maintained its rocket assaults on northern Israel, pledging to continue until Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip cease.
In the Gaza Strip, over 41,400 casualties have been reported since the commencement of Israel’s military operations following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of approximately 250 individuals.
Israel has expressed its intent to persist with its campaign in Lebanon, citing the necessity of ensuring the safety of its citizens in the northern regions. However, U.S. officials have distanced themselves from Israel’s strategy of intensifying conflict as a means of achieving de-escalation, suggesting that recent history does not support such a tactic.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to engage in discussions at the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week with allies to explore options for de-escalation, including meeting with counterparts from the G7 countries. U.S. officials stressed the importance of acknowledging Israeli military preparations while also expressing skepticism that such actions would lead to a reduction in regional violence.