Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 31
New Delhi, Mar 2: At least 31 people have been killed and 149 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, Lebanonís health ministry said on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry described the casualty figures as preliminary, indicating that the toll could rise as rescue operations and assessments continue. As Israeli strikes intensified, many residents were reportedly fleeing their neighbourhoods and seeking shelter on the streets.
Hezbollah launched missiles at the Israeli city of Haifa late last night, opening a fresh front in the rapidly widening regional conflict. Israel responded with a broad air campaign, striking Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut, long considered the groupís stronghold as well as areas near the cityís international airport.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces issued evacuation warnings to residents in more than 50 villages ahead of further strikes, signalling the possibility of an extended military operation. Though Hezbollah remains a potent force, it has been significantly weakened since being heavily battered by Israel during a war 18 months ago.
Even so, its deep ideological, religious and financial ties to Iran have made its involvement in the current confrontation largely inevitable, as tensions draw in actors from across the West Asia.
Hezbollahís latest attack on Israel is being widely described in Lebanon as a ìsuicide attemptî, both for the group and for the country, the BBC reports.
According to the BBC, many in Lebanon fear the assault is dragging the country into a fresh and potentially devastating war with Israel, one in which Lebanon is likely to bear the heaviest cost. The country is still struggling to recover from the prolonged conflict 18 months ago that severely weakened Hezbollah and left many of its strongholds in ruins.
Reconstruction has been slow, and economic hardship remains widespread. There is also growing resentment among sections of the population who believe Hezbollah has prioritised Iranian strategic interests over Lebanonís national concerns. Those paying the highest price, the BBC notes, are often Hezbollahís own supporters, whose homes, villages, and towns are once again coming under fire.
