TEL AVIV/BEIRUT: Lebanon became a bloodbath as Israel stepped up its offensive, signalling heading for a full-fledged war. At least 274 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in air strikes in southern Lebanon today. The condition of many are very serious.
More than 300 Hezbollah centres were bombed. The Israeli military is also preparing to invade Lebanon by land. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the offensive has been extended to the interior of Lebanon.
The attack came hours after Israel warned people near Hezbollah centres to evacuate as soon as possible. The fighter jets flew low and attacked before people had time to evacuate to the safe zone. The Beqaa Valley, east of Beirut, will also be attacked soon.
Hezbollah has been carrying out rocket attacks on northern Israel in support of Hamas. Hezbollah had stepped up its offensive following last week's pager-walkie-talkie massacre in Lebanon. This is what angered Israel.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is likely to order an open war against Israel. If Iran, which provides weapons and training, joins Hezbollah, another front will open up in the Middle East.
80,000 warnings to evacuate
Israel has made more than 80,000 automated calls in Arabic asking people to evacuate. People were advised to move one kilometre away from the Hezbollah post. The call came from a Lebanese number. Text messages were also given.
Continuous blow
Yahya killed?
Israel has launched an investigation into whether Yahya Sinwar(61) the head of Hamas and the mastermind of the October 7 massacre that paved the way for the Gaza war, was killed. On Saturday, Israel had bombed a school where refugees were staying in Gaza City. Yahya is believed to be among the 22 people killed. The school was the command centre of Hamas.
Israel said it had found no evidence that Yahya had been killed. The DNA test done on some of the bodies was negative. Israel believes the two letters released by Hamas earlier this month in the name of Yahya were written by someone else.