Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in hundreds of cross-border strikes following a series of explosions involving wireless devices in Lebanon.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that at least 492 people were killed and more than 1,600 injured on Monday, including 35 children and 58 women, as Israel expanded its military operations against Hezbollah.
The Israeli military claimed to have hit 800 targets in southern Lebanon, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that any threat would be countered with severe retaliation.
Hezbollah senior commander Ali Karaki survived an Israeli strike in Beirut, according to officials, despite being the intended target.
A missile attack in southern Beirut wounded six people, and Israeli forces are now urging civilians in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley to evacuate, as more strikes on Hezbollah positions are planned.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that many of their strikes targeted homes storing weapons and missiles.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is deploying additional troops to the region amid rising tensions, though details remain undisclosed for security reasons.
Israeli airstrikes also intercepted a drone fired from Iraq, the second such incident in two days.
