Israeli military forces conducted extensive air attacks across Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in over 250 fatalities, marking the deadliest day in the region since the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran began nearly six weeks ago. The strikes, which also reportedly killed an aide to Hezbollah’s chief Naim Qassem, targeted areas including Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
The escalation occurred merely hours after a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran was announced, prompting hopes for a de-escalation of hostilities across the wider conflict zone. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government facilitated the truce, asserted that the agreement encompassed a cessation of attacks on all fronts, explicitly mentioning Lebanon.
However, both the United States and Israel disputed this interpretation. US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Israeli operations in Lebanon constituted a “separate skirmish,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the ceasefire did not obligate Israel in Lebanon, indicating military actions against Hezbollah would continue.
Lebanon’s civil defence reported at least 254 people killed and 1,165 wounded in the air raids, which struck densely populated areas. The head of Lebanon’s syndicate of doctors, Elias Chlela, issued an urgent appeal for medical professionals, as hospitals faced overwhelming demands for assistance, including blood donations. The United Nations described the casualty figures as “appalling,” with its human rights chief Volker Turk denouncing the destruction as “horrific.”
While Israel claimed its targets were Hezbollah military infrastructure, Lebanese officials and aid organizations reported widespread devastation of entire neighborhoods. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri characterized the attacks on civilian areas as a “full-fledged war crime,” accusing Israel of failing to uphold the declared ceasefire agreement.
International reactions largely condemned the scale of the attacks and called for Lebanon’s inclusion in the truce. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey denounced the strikes as a dangerous escalation, while Spain, France, and the UK called for the protection of civilians and the extension of the ceasefire to Lebanon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that continued military activity in Lebanon posed a “grave risk” to the US-Iran ceasefire, with negotiations for a permanent settlement slated to begin in Islamabad on Saturday.
Source: Original
