File image.
The massive wave of Israeli strikes that targeted several dense commercial and residential areas across Lebanon early on April 8 claimed the lives of hundreds of people.
The strikes came just hours after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after more than five weeks of war, with mediator Pakistan saying that Lebanon was included in the agreement. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump later said that Lebanon was excluded, however.
Lebanon’s Civil Defense announced that at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 others were wounded in the strikes, which hit the capital, Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
The casualties included dozens of women and children, although Lebanese health authorities are yet to provide specific numbers.
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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the attack as its largest coordinated strike across Lebanon since it started a new military operation in the country against Hezbollah last month.
The military “carried out a surprise strike on hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists at command centers across Lebanon. This is the largest concentrated blow Hezbollah has suffered since Operation Beepers,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a video statement, referring to a major 2024 operation against Hezbollah involving pager bombs.
Additional Israeli strikes hit Lebanon, including Beirut, later in the evening and overnight, with the IDF announcing on April 9 that Ali Yusuf Harshi, the secretary of Hezbollah leader, was killed.
“Harshi was a close associate and personal advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, and played a central role in managing his office and his security,” the military said.
It added that the additional strikes also hit two “central” Litani River crossings that were used by Hezbollah to transfer “thousands of weapons, rockets, and launchers” into southern Lebanon.
Additionally, some ten weapon depots, rocket launchers, and Hezbollah headquarters were struck in southern Lebanon, according to the military.
The Israeli escalation against Lebanon drew contamination from all over the world, including from the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. Iran from its side threatened retaliation and warned that it could pull out from planned talks with the U.S. in Pakistan. The Islamic Republic also restricted passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Hezbollah, which adhered to the ceasefire at first, resumed operations against the IDF on April 9, targeting several settlements in northern Israel.
More escalation is expected as Israel seems determined to go on with its operation in Lebanon. Israel even likely sees the operation as a way to sabotage the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
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