Israel launches most intense airstrikes on Lebanon in two decades

English , International - بین الاقوامی , / Friday, October 4th, 2024

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RKI Web Desk!
In a relentless aerial campaign, Israel has conducted massive airstrikes on Lebanon over the past three weeks, marking the most intense bombardment outside Gaza in the last two decades. The Lebanese health ministry reports over 1,400 people killed, nearly 7,500 injured, and more than one million displaced from their homes.
According to Airwars, a conflict monitoring group, the scale of these strikes is unprecedented, surpassing the intensity of even U.S.-led operations against ISIS. The Israeli military revealed it used 2,000 munitions and carried out 3,000 strikes in just two days—September 24 and 25. For comparison, U.S. forces conducted fewer than 3,000 strikes annually during most of their 20-year war in Afghanistan.
The strikes are primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds, Israel says. However, many of these attacks have caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure. Despite Israeli claims of efforts to minimize civilian harm through warnings, Amnesty International and other rights groups argue that these warnings do not absolve the country from responsibility under international humanitarian law.
Israeli airstrikes have also impacted Beirut, with residents reporting attacks occurring without prior notice. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with the death toll rising daily, and over 20% of Lebanon’s population now displaced.
The current scale of Israel’s assault on Lebanon mirrors its recent operations in Gaza, where nearly 60% of buildings are estimated to be damaged.