Intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued on Tuesday, with Israel launching new airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon amid international fears of an all-out regional war. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll in Lebanon reached at least 558, including 50 children and 94 women, as tens of thousands fled their homes following warnings of intensified attacks by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) .
The Israeli military intensified its aerial offensive in Lebanon, prompting tens of thousands of civilians to evacuate from southern Lebanon in what the United Nations Refugee Agency described as a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis.
Kann: Israel dropped $175 million dollars worth of ammunition on Hezbollah yesterday. pic.twitter.com/gTiGWo3PCq
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 24, 2024
The waves of airstrikes follow an Israeli precision strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs that targeted a Hezbollah missile unit commander, Ibrahim Qubais, as confirmed by the IDF. The Lebanese government reported that six people were killed and 15 injured in this attack.
Footage of Israeli airstrike in Beirut today targeting Ibrahim Qubaisi, the head of Hezbollah’s rocket division. https://t.co/Uw2QLf6N4N pic.twitter.com/pO7efgehHa
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 24, 2024
The IDF stated it is operating at “full force,” and vowed to “accelerate” its operations, marking the deadliest period in Lebanon since Israel’s 34-day war with Hezbollah in 2006. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched around 220 rockets into northern Israel, the highest number in a single day since the beginning of the conflict.
U.S. President Joe Biden called for an end to the Gaza war and urged de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. White House Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer mentioned that the U.S. is actively engaging with allies to find a way to reduce tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, while also preparing to assist in the evacuation of American citizens if necessary.
UNICEF issued a warning on Tuesday that any further escalation would be catastrophic for children and families in Lebanon, a country already struggling with economic and political crises, the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Lebanese citizens who fled their homes are struggling to find shelter, with schools and public spaces quickly filling up.
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