The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hizbullah intensified dramatically on Monday as Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 492 people, with more than 1,645 others wounded. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, among the dead were 58 women and 35 children, as Israeli jets relentlessly targeted Hizbullah positions across southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the northern region near Syria.

Shift in Focus: From Hamas to Hizbullah

After nearly a year of conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel has now turned its attention to its northern border, where Iran-backed Hizbullah has been launching rocket attacks in support of Hamas. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that its jets hit more than 1,300 Hizbullah targets, including missile launch sites, drones, and buildings used by the group to store rockets.

Warnings to Civilians and Mass Exodus

Prior to the strikes, the IDF made 80,000 calls to residents in Shia areas of southern Lebanon, urging them to flee as their homes were near Hizbullah’s weapons caches. Similar warnings were later issued to residents of the Bekaa Valley, where Israel believes Hizbullah’s long-range rockets are stored. In response, tens of thousands of civilians fled the south, clogging roads from Tyre to Beirut, as the bombardment intensified. On social media, Lebanese citizens shared offers of shelter and advice on stockpiling essentials like rice, gas, and water.

Lebanese Schools Closed Amid Internal Refugee Crisis

Already on the brink of economic collapse, Lebanon is now grappling with an internal refugee crisis. With widespread power cuts and state-run institutions barely functional, Lebanese schools will remain closed on Tuesday. The mass displacement adds further strain to a country struggling under the weight of an economic meltdown.

Netanyahu Urges Lebanese Civilians to Flee

In a direct message to Lebanese citizens, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused Hizbullah of using civilians as human shields. “It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage,” he said, urging residents to evacuate. He reassured them that once the military operation is over, they could return safely to their homes.

Targeting Hizbullah Commanders and Retaliatory Strikes

In a notable strike on Monday night, Israeli forces targeted Ali Karaki, a senior Hizbullah commander overseeing the southern front. Karaki, who ranks as the group’s third-highest leader, was reportedly wounded in the attack on Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood.

In retaliation, Hizbullah fired more than 200 rockets and drones at Israel, hitting the northern city of Haifa and other areas, including the northern West Bank. Although no casualties were reported in Israel, residents of northern cities were advised to remain near bomb shelters.

Israel’s Defensive Measures and Expanding Conflict

Israel’s government declared a “special state of affairs” throughout the country on Monday night, granting the IDF broader powers, including the ability to ban gatherings and restrict public activities. The military has been focused on aerial strikes to weaken Hizbullah’s capacity to continue launching attacks. Some estimates suggest that up to half of Hizbullah’s significant rocket arsenal may already have been destroyed.

International Reactions: Iran and the United States

Amid escalating tensions, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of attempting to provoke a wider war in the region. He warned that Israel was laying “traps” aimed at drawing Iran into the conflict. Meanwhile, Washington is deploying additional troops to the Middle East as part of its efforts to manage the rising conflict. US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but emphasized the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution.

Conclusion: Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis

The latest escalation between Israel and Hizbullah marks a dangerous new phase in the broader Middle Eastern conflict. As Israeli airstrikes continue and Hizbullah retaliates with rocket fire, the toll on civilians is mounting, particularly in Lebanon, which now faces a dual crisis of war and economic collapse. With hundreds already dead and thousands more displaced, the region stands on the precipice of even greater devastation.