Israel launched one of its most intense waves of airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, killing and injuring hundreds, as fighting with the armed group Hezbollah continued despite a ceasefire agreement involving Iran.
Israeli authorities described the operation as the largest aerial assault of the current conflict, saying more than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military targets were struck within a span of 10 minutes. The strikes hit multiple locations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that at least 182 people were killed and around 890 injured, warning that the toll could rise further. Rescue teams continued searching through debris hours after the strikes, uncovering signs of everyday life disrupted—family photographs, clothing and unfinished schoolwork.
The escalation followed Israel’s rejection of claims that the Iran-related ceasefire extended to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dismissed assertions made by Pakistan, which had mediated the US-Iran deal. In Washington, US officials also clarified that Lebanon was not included in the agreement.
Hezbollah, which has not claimed responsibility for any attacks since the ceasefire announcement, said it reserves the right to respond and cautioned displaced residents against returning home without an official ceasefire declaration. Lebanon’s presidency said it would continue efforts to ensure the country is included in any broader regional peace arrangement.
The current phase of the conflict intensified after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel, citing retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and continued Israeli strikes despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024.
According to Lebanese authorities, more than 1,700 people, including at least 130 children, have been killed in the conflict so far, though the figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters. Israel claims it has killed around 1,100 Hezbollah militants.
The war has displaced over 1.2 million people—roughly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population—mostly from Shia-majority areas. Entire villages near the border have been devastated as Israeli forces seek to establish what they describe as a security buffer zone aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s presence.
The scale of destruction has raised fears that some areas may remain under prolonged occupation, preventing residents from returning. While Israeli officials have signalled continued operations in Lebanon, recent reports suggest the military does not plan a deeper ground advance and acknowledges that fully disarming Hezbollah by force may not be feasible.
