Fresh Israeli strikes kill 105 in Lebanon: All to know
Israel intensified its strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon on Sunday, resulting in over 100 deaths in a single day. It also launched attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen, heightening concerns of a broader Middle Eastern conflict. Lebanon's health ministry reported 105 fatalities and 359 injuries from the Israeli bombardment. The escalation followed Israel's assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, which had engaged in cross-border clashes in support of Hamas in Gaza.
Deadly air raids spread across Lebanon
On Monday, witnesses reported to international news agencies that Israel launched an airstrike on central Beirut for the first time since last year's Gaza conflict. The strike hit a multi-story residential building, with videos showing ambulances and a crowd gathered below, suggesting an apartment was the target. Previously, Israeli strikes had focused on southern Beirut, where Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has a significant presence.
Hezbollah leder Kaouk killed
On Sunday, Israel killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, a death the group later confirmed. He was the seventh senior leader of the organization to be killed within a week. Hezbollah also reported that another high-ranking commander, Ali Karaki, was killed in the same Friday airstrike that took the life of the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Strikes in central, eastern, and western Bekaa regions
Lebanese media reported numerous strikes in the central, eastern, and western Bekaa regions. They claimed that Israel targeted residential buildings housing civilians. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that at least 14 medical workers were killed over a two-day period in southern Lebanon. Lebanon has reported over 1,000 deaths and 6,000 injuries since Israel escalated its attacks against Hezbollah two weeks ago. In less than two weeks of warfare, the death toll includes 156 women and 87 children.
Intensified attacks
Over the past week, Hezbollah has intensified its attacks in reaction to Israeli hostilities, injuring several people and causing damage. However, Israel's defense systems intercepted most of the rockets. On Sunday, the Israeli military reported that dozens of its aircraft targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, including power plants and port facilities in Hodeida, following a recent attack. The Houthis had launched a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion airport on Saturday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived.
Joe Biden says he will speak to Netanyahu
US President Joe Biden announced plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning against a full-scale war in the Middle East. White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon had "wiped out" Hezbollah's leadership structure but cautioned the group would swiftly work to rebuild it. Regarding Nasrallah's death, Kirby said the world is safer without him and suggested Hezbollah will struggle to fill the resulting leadership gap.
