Israel has ordered further evacuations and conducted strikes in a new area of northern Lebanon as tensions escalate with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese group. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in at least 15 deaths and 37 injuries across three locations in Lebanon, including the previously untouched town of Deir Billa.
The Israeli military reported that Hezbollah launched nearly 320 projectiles into Israel on Saturday, prompting the closure of some northern towns to the public.
Additionally, Israel ordered residents of 23 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate north of the Awali River due to heightened activities from Hezbollah, which Israel claims is using these areas to hide weapons and launch attacks. Hezbollah, however, denies these allegations.
The Lebanese health ministry reported damage to five hospitals from Israeli airstrikes in Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, though the Israeli military did not comment on this. They also accused Hezbollah of using ambulances to transport fighters and weapons. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) announced the temporary closure of its clinic in a southern Beirut suburb due to heavy airstrikes, noting that at least 50 paramedics have been killed in the past two weeks.
The Israeli military claims to have targeted around 200 sites in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of approximately 50 Hezbollah fighters and the dismantling of numerous weapons storage sites.
Meanwhile, a member of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon was injured by gunfire, and two U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli strike, prompting international condemnation.
Hezbollah claimed to have attacked the outskirts of Tel Aviv with drones, while Israel stated that no casualties were reported from intercepted drones.
The conflict, which began a year ago when Hezbollah supported Hamas during the Gaza war, has intensified, with Israeli operations targeting southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, leading to significant displacement.
The Lebanese government estimates that around 1.2 million people have been displaced since late September, surpassing the numbers from the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
As of Friday, the death toll since hostilities began has reached 2,255, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The U.N. reports that the number of displaced people in Lebanon now exceeds those during the last major conflict between the two parties.