Israel Carries Over 70 Strikes Across Lebanon, HRW Says At Least 52 Dead

On March 2, 2026, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated.

“Israel says it’s targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Beirut after the group launched what it called “revenge” attacks following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader”

CNN

Hezbollah fired rockets and drones toward northern Israel.

CNN

In response, Israel carried out more than 70 strikes across Lebanon, including in southern and eastern areas and Beirut's southern suburbs.

Human Rights Watch said those strikes killed at least 52 people, injured about 154, and displaced tens of thousands according to Lebanese authorities.

HRW also reported that no Israeli casualties were reported from the Hezbollah fire.

CNN reported that Israel said it was targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Beirut after what Israel described as "revenge" attacks following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader.

CNN reported that some residents say they are being caught in the crossfire.

Only the Human Rights Watch and CNN snippets were provided as sources for this summary, so details beyond those snippets are not available here.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that both parties must be pressured to follow the laws of war.

HRW documented numerous alleged Israeli violations in Lebanon since October 7, 2023, including apparent deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on journalists, civilians, medics, institutions and peacekeepers, and use of white phosphorus.

Human Rights Watch

HRW also said Hezbollah repeatedly failed to protect civilians by using explosive weapons in populated areas and by not adequately warning civilians.

CNN’s reporting added local perspectives, including residents and a hotel owner who criticized Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into a wider conflict and underscoring civilian anger and fear amid the strikes.

These accounts reflect HRW’s legal concerns about indiscriminate and disproportionate harm and local reporting about civilian experience and perceptions.

HRW said the humanitarian impact includes tens of thousands displaced and substantial casualties in multiple Lebanese areas.

“Israel says it’s targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Beirut after the group launched what it called “revenge” attacks following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader”

CNN

HRW reminded that the September–November 2024 escalation had already caused massive displacement and destruction.

According to HRW, Israel characterized its strikes as aimed at senior Hezbollah operatives, weapons storage, and infrastructure, and issued evacuation warnings to towns.

HRW cautioned that using or affiliating with an institution does not automatically make it a lawful military target under international humanitarian law.

HRW reiterated obligations to take feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm.

CNN’s on-the-ground reporting highlighted residents’ accounts of being caught in the crossfire and damage to civilian property.

HRW’s overall assessment called for pressure on both sides to comply with international humanitarian law and minimize civilian suffering, while documenting alleged violations by both Israel and Hezbollah over a longer timeline.

HRW specifically flagged the targeting of institutions like al-Qard al-Hassan and cautioned against treating affiliated civilian institutions as automatic military targets.

Human Rights Watch

CNN’s coverage emphasized residents’ fear, some Lebanese civilians’ condemnation of Hezbollah, and visible property damage, but the snippets provided do not independently confirm all claims and only HRW and CNN snippets informed this summary.

Because only those two sources were provided, perspectives from other regional or international outlets are not represented here and some details remain uncertain or uncorroborated in the available material.