Israel Bombs Lebanon With 100 Strikes After US-Iran Ceasefire; 254 Dead
Key Takeaways
- Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes across Lebanon after Iran-US ceasefire.
- Casualties reported range from about 89 to 254 dead across Lebanon.
- The strikes were the heaviest since the war's start, triggering panic in Beirut.
Israel Breaks Ceasefire
Just hours after Iran and the US agreed to a 15-day ceasefire, Israel launched its heaviest bombardment on Lebanon.
“Israeli strikes have hit several dense commercial and residential areas in central Beirut without warning, killing hundreds of people and wounding more than 1,000 others, hours after a ceasefire was announced in the United States-Israeli war on Iran”
Israeli forces carried out at least 100 airstrikes in under 10 minutes, targeting densely populated areas across Lebanon.
Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least 254 dead and 1,165 wounded.
Local media and the Lebanese Red Cross cited figures as high as 300 dead.
Israeli Chief of Staff Zamir said the regime will continue striking Lebanon.
Israel Assassinated Resistance Chief
Israel launched the wave of strikes in coordination with a targeted killing operation.
Hezbollah confirmed Israeli drones had assassinated its Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem.
Katz warned Naim Qassem to stop attacking Israel on behalf of Iran, saying the Secretary-General will come later.
The assassination came three days after Israel assassinated Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei's killing shifted Iranian sentiment from outrage to resolve.
Ceasefire Shattered
Iran responded by declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed to US and allied shipping.
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Roughly 20% of the world's oil passes through the strait.
Over 180 vessels were trapped in the strait, according to Reuters.
Pakistan's Prime Minister said the truce applied everywhere including Lebanon.
Iraq condemned the strikes as evidence of a hostile plan to sabotage the truce.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The intensified Israeli strikes added to Lebanon's mounting death toll.
Human Rights Watch warned that misuse of white flags could endanger medical personnel and civilians.
The conflict's complexity deepened as Israel opened a front with Hezbollah.
Leaked US documents showed Trump ignored legal concerns.
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