Lebanese health authorities on Tuesday updated the death toll from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah militants to 558 over the past two days. In Gaza, officials reported that a new Israeli airstrike killed at least seven people in the southern city of Khan Younis. Israel’s military has vowed to do “whatever is necessary” to push Hezbollah away from its border with Lebanon, as the two sides continue to trade fire since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

On Monday, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, killing nearly 500 people and injuring over 1,600 others. The strikes have triggered a mass exodus from southern Lebanon, with thousands fleeing to Beirut, creating the largest displacement since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Tensions remain high, following a separate attack the previous week on communication infrastructure, for which Lebanon blamed Israel. Israel has not confirmed responsibility, reports Associated Press.

Hezbollah retaliated by launching approximately 100 projectiles toward Israel on Tuesday, according to the Israeli military.

Latest Developments:

  • Israeli Airstrike Hits Beirut Suburb: An Israeli airstrike targeted a building in southern Beirut on Tuesday, according to Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV station. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported injuries from the strike, which destroyed three floors of a six-story apartment building in the Ghobeiri suburb. No immediate word on fatalities was provided.
  • Israeli Rocket Barrage Continues: The Israeli military reported 10 more rockets fired from Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon. One rocket injured an Israeli reservist and caused damage in northern Israel. Hezbollah confirmed it fired medium-range rockets at Israeli military positions in the Eliakim area.
  • Casualties in Gaza: Palestinian officials in central Gaza reported at least six people, including three women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a family home in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Another 21 were wounded, further increasing the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict.

Death Toll in Lebanon Escalates

Lebanon’s Health Ministry stated that 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women, have been killed by Israeli strikes in the past two days. More than 1,835 people have been injured and hospitalized across the country. Health Minister Firass Abiad added that four paramedics were among those killed, with 16 paramedics and firefighters also wounded.

A journalist working for the pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen network, Hadi Al-Sayyed, was killed during the strikes in southern Lebanon, becoming the third journalist from the network to die in the conflict. His home in Burj Rahhal, near Tyre, was hit in the airstrike.

In northern Israel, bombardment from Lebanon damaged a supermarket in the predominantly Arab town of Tamra, where the majority of residents are Palestinian citizens of Israel. The attack has heightened fears among residents, as the town lacks public shelters.

Lebanese families fleeing the violence in the south have sought shelter in schools, parks, and even cars in Beirut and Sidon. Hotels in Beirut were quickly filled, and volunteers have been providing food for those displaced. In Baalbek, residents rushed to stockpile essential supplies amid expectations of further Israeli strikes.

As the conflict escalates, airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and FlyDubai have suspended flights to Lebanon. EgyptAir also cancelled its routes to Beirut, and several international carriers have limited flights to Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.