Israeli Army Carries Out Hundreds of Airstrikes on Hezbollah Strongholds in Lebanon

The Israeli army has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on the strongholds of the armed political faction Hezbollah in Lebanon, as both sides exchange attacks on the largest scale since the start of the war in Gaza.

The Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) deployed dozens of fighter jets on the morning of the 23rd (local time) and conducted around 300 airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the airstrikes killed more than 100 people and wounded more than 400 in southern and northeastern Lebanon, the highest number of deaths in one day. The dead include women and children.

IDF Chief Spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the IDF will do whatever is necessary to restore security in northern Israel, focusing on southern Lebanon. He added that the IDF is carrying out precise bombing of targets related to Hezbollah.

Hagari warned civilians near buildings and areas used for military purposes by Hezbollah to evacuate immediately. He also stated that the IDF will carry out more extensive and precise strikes against terrorist targets with broad roots throughout Lebanon.

Hezbollah countered the Israeli attack with at least 25 shells, some of which were intercepted and others fell into the open. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz urged the people of Lebanon to evacuate their homes where Hezbollah is located, emphasizing that Israel will not stop attacks until the threat to Israeli citizens is eliminated and northerners return home safely.

Thousands of Lebanese citizens received a message warning them to “stay away from the village until further notice if there is a building containing Hezbollah weapons.” A similar message was also broadcast on Lebanese radio.

The IDF’s warning comes after Israel and Hezbollah engaged in the biggest fighting since the start of the conflict in Gaza last weekend. Israel and Hezbollah have continued to fight intermittently since the start of the Gaza war in October last year.

Since the fighting began, tens of thousands of Israelis living along the northern border with Lebanon have fled to avoid Hezbollah shelling. The Israeli government, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has made their return one of its main tasks.

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel will take all necessary measures to restore security and ensure that the people (of Israel in northern Lebanon) can return home safely.