Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have left nearly 700 people dead this week, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as Israel ramps up its military offensive against Hezbollah.
The ongoing bombardment has primarily targeted Hezbollah figures, but civilian casualties have been mounting, including a recent attack that killed 20 individuals, most of them Syrian migrants.
On Thursday, Israeli forces launched multiple strikes, leading to further deaths and injuries, including two people killed in an apartment complex in southern Beirut.
Since the escalation of the conflict, the death toll in Lebanon has risen to 696, with more than 1,540 wounded since hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel resumed last October.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib has called for an immediate cease-fire, cautioning against the broader consequences for the region’s stability.
International leaders, including those from the U.S. and France, are pushing for a 21-day cease-fire to allow negotiations and prevent the situation from spiraling into a larger war.
The conflict has forced over 200,000 people in Lebanon to flee their homes, as the country grapples with relentless airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Israel remains poised for possible ground operations, reiterating its goal to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.