Tuesday Briefing: Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Kill Hundreds
Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon killed nearly 500, including dozens of women and children, and injured more than 1,600 others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. It was the deadliest day of Israeli attacks there since at least 2006, when Israel last fought a war with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. Follow live updates.
The strikes yesterday were Israel’s latest attempt to break Hezbollah’s resolve. They followed clandestine operations last week that blew up Hezbollah members’ wireless devices and killed 37 people. Here’s a map of where Israel struck on Monday.
So far, Israel has failed to force Hezbollah pull back from the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah launched its own barrage at Israel yesterday, most of which was intercepted by Israel’s antimissile defense system. And Hezbollah leaders have said they will continue their attacks on Israel until a cease-fire in Gaza is agreed to between Israel and Hamas, a Hezbollah ally.
Evacuations: Thousands of families were displaced, some of whose cars and vehicles were struck as they tried to flee, according to Lebanon’s health minister. Israeli strikes also hit ambulances and fire trucks as they raced to respond.
Gaza: Israeli forces struck a school building where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in central Gaza yesterday, killing a couple and their daughter and wounding several other people, according to Palestinian officials.
U.S. response: The Pentagon announced it would send dozens of U.S. troops to the Middle East to protect the thousands of Americans stationed there.