In a significant escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon claimed the lives of 492 people on Monday, marking the deadliest day of cross-border clashes since 2006. The strikes came in response to heightened tensions following the Gaza conflict that erupted on October 7 last year.
Hezbollah retaliated with a barrage of nearly 200 rockets, targeting several Israeli military bases and airfields in northern Israel. Rocket sirens blared in cities such as Haifa, Afula, and Nazareth, with local residents taking cover amid fears of further violence.
The exchange of strikes has intensified concerns of a wider regional war, as neighboring countries and international leaders continue to call for restraint. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict, ongoing since the early 1980s, now risks escalating further in the volatile region.
The situation remains tense as both sides show no signs of backing down, with the potential for additional retaliatory strikes looming. This violent flare-up is part of a broader context of instability following Israel’s ongoing conflicts in Gaza, which have sparked fears of a larger Middle Eastern crisis.