Israel bombs 1,600 targets in Lebanon… Countdown to all-out war |

Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, seen from Haifa, northern Israel, is launched to intercept a rocket launched from Lebanon on the 23rd (local time). The Israeli army has been bombing Lebanon extensively targeting the Islamist militant group Hezbollah, raising the possibility of a ground war since 2006. 2024.09.24. Haifa = AP / Newsis Israel attacked all of Lebanon, focusing on southern Lebanon, the base of the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah, killing at least 492 people and injuring 1,645 on the 23rd (local time). Among the dead were 35 children and 58 women, and with many seriously injured, the death toll is expected to continue to rise. The Associated Press and others reported that the highest number of deaths (1,191) occurred in Lebanon from Israeli airstrikes following the so-called 34-day war, which began in 2006 when Hezbollah kidnapped an Israeli soldier.

While Israel indicated it would continue its attacks on Lebanon, Hezbollah also said it would “fight to the end,” raising concerns that the fighting between the two sides would intensify and escalate to is total war. In particular, Israel mentioned the possibility of ‘injecting ground troops’, giving strength to the analysis that Israel had in fact embarked on a campaign to destroy Hezbollah.

According to the Times of Israel, Israel named this air strike on Lebanon ‘Operation Northern Arrows’. On this day, the Israeli army carried out about 650 airstrikes throughout Lebanon and hit about 1,600 targets related to Hezbollah. They also noted that the intensity of the airstrikes would increase by sending text messages to Lebanese citizens telling them to ‘evacuate to a safe place’.

Ambulances gather on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, to evacuate people injured in Israeli airstrikes on the 23rd (local time). The Israeli army has been bombing Lebanon extensively targeting the Islamist militant group Hezbollah, raising the possibility of a ground war since 2006. 2024.09.24. Beirut = AP/Newsis Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the 23rd, “I promise to change the balance of power and security in the north,” and added, “Israel’s policy is not to wait for them (Hezbollah), but to pre- preventive stop the threat.” It is understood that the intention is to continue expanding air strikes against Lebanon. Israeli military spokesman Major General Daniel Hagari also said, “We are ready for a ground attack on Lebanon.” Hezbollah emphasized its will to counterattack and fire 250 rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) mostly in northern Israel on the 23rd, but they were found to cause no significant damage to Israel.

All of Lebanon is in a virtual state of war, and major countries are moving to evacuate their citizens faster. Following the United States and China, who have already advised their citizens to evacuate, Germany, Iran, and Qatar have also decided to suspend or extend the ban on flights to Lebanon.

Paris = Correspondent Jo Eun-ah achim@donga.com