Israeli Strikes Claim Over 490 Lives in Deadliest Conflict Since 2006

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have resulted in the death of more than 490 people, including 90 women and children. This marks the deadliest confrontation since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Thousands are fleeing from southern Lebanon, leading to heavy congestion on routes toward Beirut.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon Monday resulted in over 490 deaths, including more than 90 women and children, according to Lebanese authorities, marking the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military has advised residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of its broadening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese residents have fled the south, causing severe congestion on the main highway out of Sidon heading toward Beirut, in what is the largest exodus since 2006.

Lebanon's health ministry reported 492 fatalities, including 35 children and 58 women, and 1,645 wounded—a staggering one-day toll for a country still recovering from a deadly attack on communication infrastructure last week.

The death toll now far exceeds that of Beirut's devastating port explosion in 2020, where hundreds of tons of stored ammonium nitrate detonated, killing at least 218 and injuring more than 6,000.

In a recorded message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to take Israeli evacuation warnings seriously, stating, "Please get out of harm's way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes." Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed the army will do "whatever is necessary" to force Hezbollah from Lebanon's border with Israel.

Hagari stated that Monday's widespread airstrikes had inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah targets. He refrained from providing a timeline for the ongoing operation but indicated that Israel was prepared to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon if necessary.

"We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats," he said. "We will do whatever is necessary to achieve this mission. We hope to do it as shortly as we can." Hagari said Hezbollah has launched about 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel since last October, including 250 on Monday alone.

According to Hagari, Israeli warplanes hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets Monday, destroying cruise missiles, various ranges of rockets, and attack drones. He said many of these weapons were hidden in residential areas, presenting photographs of alleged weapons concealed in private homes.

"Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone," he stated in a news conference.

Israel estimates Hezbollah has around 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

(With inputs from agencies.)