Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut

Beirut, Apr 9: In a major escalation, Israel launched a massive wave of air strikes across Lebanon, killing and injuring hundreds, even as tensions persist despite a ceasefire involving Iran.

Israeli authorities described the operation as the largest in the ongoing conflict, targeting more than 100 sites linked to Hezbollah within a span of 10 minutes. The strikes hit multiple locations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

According to the Lebanese health ministry, at least 182 people have been killed and around 890 injured, with the toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Emergency teams were seen searching through rubble hours after the attacks, as devastated neighbourhoods bore signs of lives abruptly disrupted.

Residents recounted scenes of horror, with damaged homes revealing personal belongings such as family photographs, clothes and children’s school materials buried under debris.

The fresh strikes come after Israel clarified that the US-Iran ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office rejected claims that the agreement covered the Lebanese front.

In Washington, the White House also confirmed that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire framework.

Hezbollah, which has not claimed responsibility for any recent attacks since the ceasefire announcement, stated that it reserves the right to respond and urged displaced civilians to wait for an official ceasefire declaration before returning home.

The conflict, which intensified following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has so far claimed over 1,700 lives, including at least 130 children, according to Lebanese authorities.

More than 1.2 million people — nearly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population — have been displaced, with widespread destruction reported in border villages. Many families are currently taking shelter in schools, temporary camps and vehicles, adding to the country’s humanitarian burden.

Israel has maintained that its military operations aim to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure and create a security buffer zone along the border. However, concerns have been raised over the possibility of prolonged occupation in parts of southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese government has said it will continue efforts to include Lebanon in broader regional peace initiatives. In a significant development, it has expressed willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.

However, there has been no response from Israel to the proposal so far. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to face criticism within Lebanon, even as it retains support among sections of the Shia community.