At least 588 Lebanese citizens have been killed after Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah were carried out by Monday 25th September, at 11:00am local time.
The Israeli military have claimed they hit 1,600 targets in an operation to destroy the armed groups infrastructure. Dozens of towns and villages were targeted throughout the day, where the Hezbollah are believed to be storing weapons.
In retaliation, Hezbollah is said to have launched more than 200 rockets into multiple Israeli military bases and a weapons storage unit in Northern Israel, according to the military.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 35 children, and 58 women were among those dead; as well as hundreds injured, and thousands of families being displaced by the strikes.
The cross- border fighting has been going on for almost a year, subsequently caused by the war in Gaza. The Hezbollah have said they are acting in support of Hamas and will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. The airstrikes mark a turning point in the fighting, and have sparked worldwide concern among leaders. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has said the escalation is extremely dangerous and worrying, before stating “we are almost in a full-fledged war”.
The strikes were targeted, with hope to kill Hezbollah’s top commander in Southern Lebanon; Ali Karaki, however the Hezbollah’s correspondents, have said he is alive, and has been moved to a safe place. Despite this, Israel’s defence minister has claimed the Hezbollah will be weakened by this, and called it “the most difficult week for the group since its establishment”
With growing concerns for the future of Lebanon, and the escalation of the war between Hezbollah and Israel, British citizens have been urged to flee Lebanon. Furthermore, the Defence Chiefs are ramping up plans for a huge evacuation, with government officials believing there may be more than 10,000 British citizens in Lebanon.
Currently 700 British troops are deploying to Cyprus to assist hundreds already waiting to flee the country.
The Lebanese Prime Minister Najin Mikati has urged the UN and world powers to stop Israel, claiming they have a plan to destroy Lebanon and its villages and towns.
Despite the immediate concern, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has directed a speech towards Lebanese citizens, stating it is not them they are aiming for in the attacks, only the Hezbollah. He furthered stating, “For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage”. Israel also say that they hit more than 300 Hezbollah sites during the strikes
A senior Israeli military official has also insisted that the strikes only had 3 aims. To degrade Hezbollah’s potential to fire rockets and missiles over the Lebanon- Israel border, to push back fighters and to destroy the weapons that could be used to attack Israel.
However, the notion appears to have failed, due to Hezbollah’s firing of rockets into Israel just a day after.
Currently, on ground in Southern Lebanon, roads are said to be gridlocked as civilians flee to seek safety further north. Alongside this, schools in targeted areas are set to close for days, in order to protect the children.
Tensions have heightened in the Middle East, with the Iranian President accusing Israel of seeking wider conflict.
