Israel Launches Deadly Airstrikes on Lebanon - Killed 558

Israel Attacks on Lebanon. Smoke rises from a location struck by Israeli shelling in the southern Lebanese village of Zaita. [Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP] | The Prime Headline — Smoke rises from a location struck by Israeli shelling in the southern Lebanese village of Zaita. [Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP]

On September 23, 2024, Israel conducted a series of intense airstrikes across Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Over 1,835 Lebanese citizens were reported injured in these attacks.
The Israeli strikes on Monday were the deadliest in Lebanon in nearly two decades, killing close to 500 people and wounding around 1,600 others. The death toll exceeded any single day since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990.
Israel claims the strikes targeted around 1,600 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. The Israeli military said it hit approximately 800 Hezbollah “terrorist sites” on Monday afternoon alone.
In response to the Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah retaliated by firing over 200 rockets into northern Israel, some targeting Israeli airbases like Megiddo near Afula and Ramat David Air Base in Haifa. Hezbollah claimed to have struck an explosives facility in Zikhon Ya’akov, about 60 km from the border.
The escalating conflict has displaced thousands of civilians on both sides of the border. Over 10,000 Lebanese have been forced to flee their homes amid the bombardment. Approximately 80,000 Israelis living near the Lebanese border were ordered to evacuate last year.
Prior to the airstrikes, the Israeli military made around 80,000 phone calls and sent text messages to Lebanese citizens, mainly in the south, warning them to evacuate for their safety. This led to widespread panic and traffic jams, especially on the coastal highway to Beirut.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a shift in focus towards Hezbollah in the north, suggesting the conflict in Gaza may be entering a new phase. He said the strategy aims to allow 65,000 evacuated Israelis to return to their homes near the Lebanese border.
The recent escalation follows a series of attacks on Hezbollah’s communication devices last week. On September 17, numerous Hezbollah pagers exploded in an attack believed to be carried out by Israel, killing 12 and injuring 2,750. The next day, Hezbollah walkie-talkies were targeted, resulting in 30 deaths.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been mounting since October 2023, with over 100,000 Lebanese and 60,000 Israelis displaced from border regions. More than 1,000 Lebanese have been killed by Israeli strikes since then.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reports at least 9,613 exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah from October 7, 2023 to September 6, 2024. Israel initiated around 82% (7,845) of these, resulting in at least 646 deaths in Lebanon, while Hezbollah and allied groups launched 1,768 attacks that killed at least 32 Israelis.
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World leaders and UN officials are urging an immediate de-escalation to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a full-scale war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern for civilians on both sides of the border.
The United States announced it will present “concrete plans” to end the crisis at the UN later this week and is deploying additional troops to the region, where around 40,000 American personnel are already stationed.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the situation could turn into a “full-scale war” and called for efforts to reduce tensions during the UN General Assembly in New York.
Iran, a key backer of Hezbollah, accused Israel of attempting to provoke a conflict with “irreversible consequences”. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated they want peace, not war, but asserted that Israel aims to instigate a widespread conflict.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called for a global response to restrain what he termed as Israeli “aggression”. Egypt condemned violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and reiterated its commitment to mediating a ceasefire in Gaza.
Qatar strongly denounced Israel’s actions, attributing the escalation to a lack of deterrents against repeated Israeli violations of international law. It cautioned that the situation intensifies crises and exposes the region to further tensions with potentially significant global repercussions.
Israel possesses advanced missile systems, many domestically developed, although a significant portion of its precision-guided munitions come from the United States. Its arsenal includes short-range tactical systems like the Popeye and Gabriel missiles, and long-range capabilities such as the Jericho 2 and 3 missiles.
To counter incoming threats, Israel employs three integrated air defense systems: the Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (medium-range), and Arrow (long-range). Despite not officially confirming it, Israel is believed to have a nuclear arsenal of at least 90 warheads.
Hezbollah, recognized as one of the most heavily armed non-state actors globally, has an estimated arsenal of 130,000 rockets and missiles, some capable of reaching anywhere in Israel. The group’s weapons include the Fateh-110 and M-600 missiles, with ranges of 300 km (190 miles) and 210 km (130 miles), respectively.
The ongoing hostilities have caused more Lebanese casualties in a single day than any other point since the 1975-1990 civil war. Nasser Yassin, Lebanon’s minister of crisis management, said 89 temporary shelters have been set up in schools and facilities to house over 26,000 people fleeing what he called “Israeli atrocities”.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese citizens to evacuate areas targeted by Israel, stressing that the conflict is with Hezbollah, not the Lebanese people. Many residents are leaving their homes after receiving automated alerts and broadcasts advising them to leave. Netanyahu visited the USA just days before the attack on Lebanon.
The Israeli military is preparing for potential “next phases” of operations, leaving open the possibility of a ground invasion. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy chief declared that a “battle without limits” is underway.
Al Jazeera aired live footage of Israeli soldiers raiding its offices in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, ordering the premises to be closed for 45 days. This comes amid the escalating conflict and rising concerns about press freedom.
The international community is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue to prevent further casualties and regional destabilization. Efforts are underway at the UN to find a diplomatic solution and avert a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.

FAQs:

What triggered the recent escalation?

The recent escalation was triggered by a series of attacks on Hezbollah’s communication devices last week, believed to be carried out by Israel. On September 17, numerous Hezbollah pagers exploded, killing 12 and injuring 2,750. The next day, Hezbollah walkie-talkies were targeted, resulting in 30 deaths.

How many casualties have been reported so far?

At least 558 Lebanese, including 50 children and 94 women, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, with around 1,835 injured. The strikes on Monday alone killed nearly 500 people, making it the deadliest day in Lebanon since the end of the civil war in 1990.

Where is Israel conducting airstrikes in Lebanon?

Israel claims to have hit around 1,600 Hezbollah sites across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Analysis shows the strikes are widespread, with the highest activity in southern regions and areas where Hezbollah’s presence is strong.

How are civilians being impacted?

Over 10,000 Lebanese have been forced to flee their homes amid the bombardment. Israel made around 80,000 phone calls and sent text alerts to Lebanese citizens, mainly in the south, warning them to evacuate. This has led to widespread panic and traffic jams.

What is the international community’s response?

The UN, US, and EU are urging an immediate de-escalation to prevent a full-scale war. The US plans to present “concrete plans” to end the crisis at the UN and is sending additional troops to the region. Iran has accused Israel of provoking a conflict with “irreversible consequences”.

What are the risks of further escalation?

There are growing fears that the conflict could spiral into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, further destabilizing the region. The Israeli military is preparing for potential “next phases”, including a possible ground invasion, while Hezbollah has declared a “battle without limits”.