Israel has vowed it will not cease its attacks on Hezbollah – and that strikes will only be accelerated.
Amid fears of all-out war in the region, 558 people were killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon this week.
The recent escalation comes on the back of pager and radio explosions targeting Hezbollah, which have largely been attributed to Israel.
Israel airdropping leaflets with ‘dangerous’ barcode, Hezbollah says – follow live
Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday that Hezbollah must not be given a break, and attacks on the Iran-backed group must be stepped up.
“The situation requires continued, intense action in all arenas,” he added.
Israel’s military released footage said to show airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages, in Sidon, Lebanon, this week. Pic: AP
In other major developments:
• 50 children are among the dead after Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week
• Diplomatic efforts continue in the UN general assembly amid fears of all-out war in the region
• British Defence Secretary John Healey is set to chair a COBRA meeting in light of escalating tensions
• British nationals have been advised to leave Lebanon while they still can
• The streets of southern Lebanon were gridlocked as thousands sought to flee further Israeli strikes
• Hezbollah claims to have conducted a retaliatory strike on Israel, near Haifa
Thousands flee
Israeli strikes this week have claimed 558 lives, Lebanon’s health minister Firas Abiad said.
This included 50 children and a further 1,835 people were injured.
Four paramedics were among those killed, Mr Abiad added, as Israel said 75 rockets had been launched from Lebanon into northern Israel on Tuesday.
It comes as many fear the two are edging towards all-out war as this week has seen much-intensified hostilities in the region.
A World Health Organisation official in Lebanon said that some hospitals were “overwhelmed” by thousands of injured people arriving.
Abdinasir Abubakar added: “We have some evidence, and we have some documentation that shows that at least there were some attacks on health facilities, even the ambulances as well.”
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon. Pic: AP
Meanwhile, thousands fled southern Lebanon amid fears of further attacks.
Photos showed gridlocked roads heading north, in what is said to be the biggest exodus since the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The government has ordered schools and universities to close across the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.