Beirut, Sept 23:   Israeli airstrikes on Monday, have killed more than 270 people in southern Lebanon, marking the deadliest day of conflict since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military intensified its aerial offensive targeting Hezbollah weapon sites across southern and eastern Lebanon, prompting a large-scale evacuation from the region.

The strikes hit around 800 targets, impacting both residential areas and key locations such as the Bekaa Valley and Byblos, located more than 80 miles from the Israeli border. This escalation follows a series of Hezbollah rocket attacks, which have previously caused significant casualties.

In response to the increased aggression, Israeli authorities issued an evacuation warning for residents near suspected Hezbollah weapons sites. However, the warning did not lead to an immediate mass departure from the affected villages, raising concerns about potential risks to civilians.

Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets at Israeli military positions in Galilee and attacking Rafael defense facilities in Haifa for the second day. In northern Israel, air-raid sirens were activated to alert residents of incoming rocket fire.

Prior to this escalation, approximately 600 people had been killed in Lebanon since October, including both combatants and civilians. The conflict, which also involves ongoing clashes with Hamas in Gaza, has intensified fears of a broader war. Hezbollah has pledged to continue its attacks in support of Palestinians and Hamas, while Israel aims to reestablish calm and control the violence.

The Lebanese Health Ministry has requested hospitals in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley to delay non-urgent surgeries to focus on treating casualties from the escalating conflict. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the current focus remains on aerial operations to diminish Hezbollah’s ability to conduct further attacks, with no immediate plans for a ground invasion.

Lebanese media reported that residents received text messages advising them to evacuate buildings suspected of housing Hezbollah weapons, though the effectiveness of these warnings is unclear. The situation remains dire, with ongoing heavy airstrikes and severe humanitarian consequences in the region.