Death toll rises to 274 in Lebanon as Israel says 800 sites targeted

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) — Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday have killed 274 people and injured over 1,024 as Israel says 800 sites targeted in its most widespread attacks in the country since the onset of the conflict.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced the staggering death toll in a press conference, noting the casualties include women, children, and paramedics.
Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out more than 300 air raids on large areas in eastern and southern Lebanon, targeting around 60 towns in southern and eastern Lebanon.
“The Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense vehicles are working to transport the injured to hospitals across southern and eastern Lebanon,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement, “In response to the enemy’s attacks that targeted areas in the south and the Bekaa Valley, the Islamic Resistance fighters bombed the reserve headquarters of the Israeli army’s northern corps, Galilee Division Reserve Base, and its stores of logistics at Ami’ad Base as well as Rafael’s military-industrial complexes in Zevulun area, north of Haifa with dozens of missiles.”
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said the strikes targeted civilian buildings where Hezbollah allegedly hides rockets, missiles, launchers, drones, and other military infrastructure.
Since Monday morning, Hezbollah has launched more than 100 rockets into northern Israel, including near Haifa, one of Israel’s largest cities, the military said in a statement.
At least five missiles were launched toward the northern Israeli-occupied West Bank, an area approximately 100 km from Lebanon, which has not been targeted before during the ongoing conflict.
The military said its aerial defense systems intercepted some of the projectiles, while others fell within Israeli territory, causing fires. Five people were injured by shrapnel, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service.
In the recent escalation, following a week of deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Israel called on residents to evacuate ahead of large-scale airstrikes.
“We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement. “The actions will continue until we achieve our goal of returning northern residents safely to their homes,” he added.
Gallant urged the Israeli public to remain calm in the face of potential escalated attacks by Hezbollah in the coming days. “These are days in which the Israeli public will have to show composure,” he noted. ■