Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah as Mass Evacuations Begin in Lebanon

Israel Expands Evacuations and Intensifies Strikes Amid Escalating Hezbollah Conflict

Israel ordered additional evacuations and launched fresh attacks on northern Lebanon on Saturday, as tensions with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, continued to rise. The escalating violence has left one U.N. peacekeeper injured, marking the third such incident in recent days.

Fatalities and Casualties in Lebanon

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people and wounded 37 in multiple regions, including the town of Deir Billa in northern Lebanon, an area previously untouched by the conflict.

The Israeli military reported that Hezbollah fired nearly 320 rockets and projectiles from Lebanon into Israeli territory, leading Israel to declare public areas in northern towns as restricted zones.

Mass Evacuations in Southern Lebanon

In a significant move, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) instructed residents of 23 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate to regions north of the Awali River. These areas have been frequent targets of Israeli strikes in recent weeks, leaving many villages nearly deserted.

The Israeli military justified the evacuations, citing Hezbollah’s increased use of civilian areas to hide weapons and plan attacks. Hezbollah, however, has denied these claims.

U.S. Response and Concerns Over U.N. Peacekeepers

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a conversation with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, expressed concern over reports that Israeli forces had targeted U.N. peacekeeping positions in Lebanon. He urged Israel to prioritize the safety of U.N. peacekeepers and the Lebanese military. Austin also emphasized the need for Israel to shift from military operations to a diplomatic solution as soon as possible.

Destruction of Lebanese Hospitals and Infrastructure

The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli strikes in Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley damaged five hospitals. Although the IDF did not comment on these claims, humanitarian access to healthcare in Lebanon has been severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) was forced to close clinics in both southern Beirut and northern regions due to heavy bombardment.

Hezbollah's Retaliation and Israel's Counterattacks

Hezbollah fighters have retaliated by launching rocket attacks deeper into Israeli territory, reportedly targeting areas near Tel Aviv with drones. Israel confirmed the interception of two drones, with no casualties reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have hit over 200 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, destroying weapons storage sites and eliminating key militants. Despite Hezbollah's denial, Israeli authorities insist the militant group has used ambulances to transport fighters and weapons.

Rising Death Toll and Displacement

The ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict has triggered mass displacement, with the Lebanese government reporting that over 1.2 million residents have fled their homes since the hostilities began on September 23. The United Nations has confirmed that this figure surpasses the number of displaced people during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, which forced around 1 million to flee.

As of Saturday, the Lebanese Health Ministry announced that the death toll had reached 2,255 since the conflict's escalation.

Conclusion

With both sides intensifying their military actions, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah shows no signs of abating. As international calls for a diplomatic solution grow louder, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon worsens, with no clear resolution in sight.