April 08, (THEWILL) — Israel carried out its heaviest airstrikes on Lebanon on Wednesday since the conflict with Hezbollah began last month, killing dozens and injuring hundreds.
Lebanese authorities described the strikes as the most severe since the outbreak of the war, hitting multiple areas including the capital Beirut, its southern suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley.
The Israeli military said the operation targeted Hezbollah infrastructure embedded within civilian areas, striking hundreds of militia members across Lebanon.
Defence Minister Israel Katz described Wednesday’s attack as the largest blow against Hezbollah since last year’s operation involving pager bombs.
The strikes came despite a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which Hezbollah observed by halting fire on northern Israel and Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, emphasized that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon.
THEWILL reports that live footage captured plumes of smoke rising over Beirut, as panicked civilians abandoned cars and rushed to nearby hospitals.
Rescue teams worked with forklifts to remove burned vehicles and debris from major thoroughfares, uncovering entire residential blocks devastated by the attacks.
Charred cars, twisted metal, and rubble littered streets as rescuers sifted through debris searching for survivors hours after the bombardment.
Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has issued warnings against returning to southern towns due to the risk of further Israeli strikes.
“Citizens are urged to wait before returning to southern villages and towns, as Israeli occupation forces may still advance in these areas,” the army said.
Lebanese leaders called on the international community to intervene and stop the attacks.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam appealed for support, noting that while Lebanon welcomed regional ceasefire initiatives, Israel continues to escalate its military campaign.
“All of Lebanon’s friends are called upon to help us stop these attacks by all available means,” Salam said.
President Joseph Aoun also expressed hope that Lebanon would be included in a regional truce, emphasizing ongoing efforts to ensure a stable and lasting peace for the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire but stressed that Lebanon remains in a critical situation, calling for the country to be incorporated into regional peace efforts.
In southern Lebanon, Israel issued evacuation warnings near the city of Tyre. AFP correspondents reported a small number of people returning to the south, from which hundreds of thousands have been displaced since the conflict began on March 2.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating humanitarian consequences.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have killed more than 1,500 people and displaced over a million.
Despite the devastation, rescue teams continue their efforts, and Lebanese leaders remain committed to diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace in the region.
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