Israel Launches Largest Airstrike Wave in Lebanon, Killing Over 300 Civilians
Key Takeaways
- Hundreds killed across Lebanon in the largest Israeli strike wave.
- Casualties include civilians; medics and journalists among the dead.
- Strikes followed US-Iran ceasefire announcement, hitting Beirut, Bekaa, Sidon, Mount Lebanon.
Deadly Bombing Campaign
Israel launched its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since the conflict began, hitting more than 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites in less than 10 minutes.
“Israeli forces have carried out a devastating bombardment across Lebanon, killing hundreds of people, hours after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the United States-Israeli war on Iran”
Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 357 people killed and 1,389 injured, warning casualty figures were likely to rise.
The Israeli military framed the operation as a targeted campaign against Hezbollah, but all major sources agreed the strikes caused heavy civilian casualties.
The Washington Post reported the strikes came just after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire.
Civilian Toll Mounts
The deadliest single strike hit the Rafik Hariri University Hospital area in Beirut.
Israeli drone strikes killed at least two civilians in Mimas and three girls were killed in Adloun.
In Baalbek, Israeli warplanes bombed civilians waiting near a cemetery to participate in a funeral, killing six.
Rafik Hariri University Hospital experienced a massive influx of wounded including children and the elderly.
International Dispute
The strikes occurred hours after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire -- a deal Israel refused to honor in Lebanon.
“Abdul-Salam Fayez / Anadolu Agency March 28, 2026 • Updated: March 28, 2026 Lebanon Abdul-Salam Fayez / Anadolu Agency Israel bombs 54 towns, villages and areas in Lebanon on Saturday, leaving 18 dead, including 6 medics and 3 journalists, according to an Anadolu Agency tally based on its sources and Lebanese official sources”
Trump insisted Lebanon was separate and not part of the truce.
The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon tweeted: This cannot go on.
The controversy exposed fractures among the allies.
Humanitarian Crisis
UN aid officials described the scale of bombardment as dramatic.
The attack forced over 280,000 people to flee their homes in Lebanon.
Médecins Sans Frontières condemned strikes targeting densely populated areas.
Amnesty International accused Israel of carrying out strikes that deliberately and recklessly killed civilians.
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