Israel Carries Out 'Largest Coordinated Strike' Even As Uncertainty Remains Over Ceasefire In Lebanon

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it carried out the 'largest coordinated strike across Lebanon' since the joint military operation against Iran.“In 10 minutes, the IDF completed the largest coordinated strike across Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion,” the IDF said in a post on X.

According to the IDF, the strike targeted more than Hezbollah headquarters, military arrays, and command-and-control centers in Beirut, Beqaa and southern Lebanon.

“The State of Lebanon and its civilians must refuse Hezbollah 's entrenchment in civilian areas and its weapons build-up capabilities,” the military said in a statement.

Israel insisted separating Iran, Lebanon wars

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF's large wave of strikes in Lebanon targeted“hundreds of Hezbollah operatives.”

“Hundreds of Hezbollah operatives were targeted in surprise strikes at headquarters across Lebanon, in the largest concentrated blow Hezbollah has suffered since the pager operation,” he said.

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Katz also said Israel insisted on separating the war with Iran from the fighting in Lebanon in order to change the reality in Lebanon, and remove threats to northern Israel.

Strikes in the heart of Beirut

Confirming the strikes, Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the airstrikes hit at least five different neighborhoods in Beirut's central and coastal areas.

According to The Associated Press, it was not immediately clear how many people were killed or wounded, but several strikes were in busy commercial locations, causing panic in the streets.

Lebanon's Minister of Social Affairs, Haneed Sayed condemned the Israeli strikes, calling it a“very dangerous turning point.”

“These hits are now at the heart of Beirut... Half of the sheltered (internally displaced persons) are in Beirut in this area,” she told The Associated Press, adding that she had just driven by the areas hit.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon

The latest Israeli strike in Lebanon comes hours after the US, Israel and Iran agreed on a 15-day ceasefire. But Israel has made it clear that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire deal and that strikes in the country, targeting Hezbollah, will continue.

Also Read | Is Lebanon covered by US-Iran ceasefire? Netanyahu, Sharif have opposite answers

Israeli military's chief of staff Lt Gen. Eyal Zamir on Wednesday said they will continue to“utilize every operational opportunity” to strike Hezbollah. Gen. Zamir said it's to protect Israel's northern residents, who have come under heavy fire.

Israel began bombing Lebanon in the first week of March after Hezbollah launched missiles from across the border in response to the killing of Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, on February 28.

Lebanese PM calls for international help

On Wednesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on his country's friends to help put an end to Israeli attacks following a series of deadly strikes across the country.

In a statement, Salam said that while Beiru "welcomed the agreement between Iran and the United States and intensified our efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, Israel continues to escalate its attacks".

Also Read | Lebanon declares Iranian ambassador persona non grata, Israel welcomes move

"All of Lebanon's friends are called upon to help us stop these attacks by all available means," he added.

Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 1,530 people in Lebanon, including more than 100 women and 130 children. The Israeli military has said it has killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters.

Key Takeaways

Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, impacting civilians and infrastructure. The strikes are a response to perceived threats from Hezbollah, illustrating the complex interplay of regional politics. International calls for intervention highlight the global implications of the conflict and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Lebanon.

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