Israel escalates strikes in Lebanon, 440 Hezbollah fighters reportedly killed

Late Saturday, powerful explosions shook Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel intensified its bombardment of Lebanon, targeting both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters. For the first time, Israeli strikes reached a Palestinian refugee camp deep in northern Lebanon.

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Shantanu Poswal
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As tensions between the two sides continue to rise, Israel has escalated its air campaign, carrying out numerous airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds. (X/Bijendermundan)

Israel-Hamas war: Israel has escalated its airstrikes on Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah and Hamas targets. On Saturday, Israeli forces bombarded southern Beirut and hit a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, marking the first time the camp had been targeted. According to Israeli reports, the offensive has resulted in the deaths of 440 Hezbollah fighters, while 9 Israeli soldiers have also been killed during ground operations.

The limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon by Israeli troops began last week, following a series of attacks that led to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others. The ongoing conflict is the most intense between Israel and Hezbollah since their brief war in 2006.

Thousands of civilians, including Palestinian refugees, are fleeing the escalating conflict. In under two weeks, about 375,000 people have fled from Lebanon to Syria, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel's military confirmed the killing of two senior Hamas operatives in Lebanon, including one at the Beddawi camp, where a Hamas militant, his wife, and two daughters were killed. Another operative was killed in Israeli strikes in the Bekaa Valley.

In the past two weeks, the Lebanese death toll has exceeded 1,400, with at least 1.2 million people displaced. The majority of the fatalities include civilians, medics, and Hezbollah fighters. Israel claims its focus is on Hezbollah commanders and military assets, aiming to secure its border areas.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue to exchange fire. Around 90 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Saturday, most of which were intercepted, though several caused injuries in Deir al-Asad.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue, with at least nine killed on Saturday, including two children. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with nearly 90% of the population displaced, and over 42,000 Palestinians killed since the beginning of the conflict.