The Lebanese Ministry of Health says that at least 492 people were killed and 1,645 injured in Israeli attacks across the country. The death toll includes 35 children And 58 womenaccording to the ministry. The Israeli newspaper ‘Haaretz’ writes it. The Israeli carpet bombings have also forced “thousands of families to evacuate from the targeted areas”, added Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad.
Hospitals in the south and east of Cedri Country have been ordered to suspend all non-urgent surgeries to manage the growing number of injured. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the UN and “influential countries” to prevent what he defined as Israel’s “destructive plan which aims to destroy Lebanese villages and cities”.
Netanyahu: “We don’t wait for a threat, we anticipate it”
From the IDF headquarters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made himself heard: «For those who have not yet understood, I want to clarify Israel’s policy. We don’t wait for a threat, we anticipate it. Everywhere, in every theatre, at any time.” The IDF is working to “change the balance of power in the north”, destroying “thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities and citizens”, he added. At the moment, Israel is focusing on air operations and has no immediate plans for a ground operation, a security source said, explaining that the raids aim to limit Hezbollah’s ability to launch further attacks against the north of the Jewish state. .
Hamas’s solidarity with Hezbollah and the Lebanese people
“Solidarity” with Hezbollah and the Lebanese people was expressed by Hamas which condemned “this large-scale barbaric aggression” which is a war crime.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also pointed the finger at Israel, accusing it of wanting to “widen the conflict” in the Middle East. A war “will not bring benefits to anyone”, added the leader of the Islamic Republic, in New York for the UN General Assembly. From Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry warned the Jewish state that there will be “dangerous consequences” to the carpet bombing campaign against Hezbollah, which it described as “crazy”.
Peskov: “Extreme concern”
“Extreme concern” was also expressed by the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov: “Indeed, the situation has deteriorated practically every day, is deteriorating rapidly and tensions and unpredictability are increasing.” From Iraq the voice of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest authority of Shiite Islam in the country, was raised, calling for “the exercise of every possible effort” to put an end to the “barbaric aggression (of Israel) and protect the Lebanese people.”
The exchange of fire on the border between Lebanon and Israel intensifies, amid strong concern from the international community which has multiplied appeals to stop the escalation. The armed forces of the Jewish State have announced a “systematic expansion of attacks against Hezbollah”, specifying that over 300 targets have already been hit since the start of the day. For its part, the pro-Iranian Shiite movement launched dozens of missiles and rockets, targeting the Lower Galilee, in particular the Safed area, and the Haifa area.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari urged Lebanese civilians to leave areas “near buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes”. According to the head of Lebanese telecommunications operator Ogero, Israel made more than 80,000 phone calls, urging people to evacuate. In particular, residents of the Beqaa Valley have been given a two-hour ultimatum to leave before the army launches its air strikes, added the IDF, which is preparing to strike in the area where “Hezbollah stores strategic weapons, in civil buildings, uses the population as a human shield and knowingly puts them in danger.”