Deadliest Day of War: Israeli Strikes Batter Lebanon, Kill 250

Israel launched its most intense strikes on Lebanon since fighting with Hezbollah erupted last month, killing more than 250 people on Wednesday. The Iran-backed group resumed rocket fire on northern Israel after a brief lull during the two-week US-Iran truce.

The escalation cast doubt on efforts to sustain a broader regional ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a halt to hostilities in Lebanon was a key condition of Tehran’s agreement with Washington.

By Wednesday afternoon, at least five successive airstrikes hit Beirut, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Israel’s military described the operation as its largest coordinated assault of the war, saying over 100 Hezbollah command centres and military sites in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon were struck within ten minutes.

Lebanon’s civil defence agency reported 254 নিহত and more than 1,100 আহত nationwide, with Beirut accounting for the highest toll at 91 deaths. The health ministry, however, reported 182 নিহত, noting the figure remained provisional.

Early Thursday, Hezbollah said it had fired rockets at the kibbutz of Manara, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire. “This response will continue until Israeli-American aggression against our country and people ends,” the group said.

Wednesday marked the deadliest day since the war began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Iran following a US-Israeli strike on Tehran. Israel responded with a full-scale air and ground campaign.

Scenes in Beirut underscored the scale of devastation. Civil defence teams were seen rescuing residents trapped in partially collapsed buildings, while civilians used motorcycles to rush the injured to hospitals amid a shortage of ambulances. One major hospital appealed for urgent blood donations.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the violence, calling the scale of destruction “horrific” and saying it defied belief so soon after a ceasefire agreement with Iran.

Despite the truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lebanon was not covered by the agreement and vowed to continue strikes against Hezbollah. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, echoed that position, citing a misunderstanding on Iran’s part.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate the truce, had earlier suggested Lebanon would be included.

Hezbollah officials said they had initially halted attacks believing they were part of the ceasefire, accusing Israel of breaching the agreement. Lawmakers warned of consequences if strikes persisted.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also warned of a strong response if attacks on Lebanon continued.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, while French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly signalled readiness to push diplomatically for Lebanon’s inclusion in any ceasefire framework.

Most of the strikes hit densely populated civilian areas. While Israel issued evacuation warnings for parts of southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, no such alert was given for central Beirut, which was also targeted.

Residents described scenes of fear and destruction. “I’m living a nightmare,” said one Beirut resident, fearing further attacks.

Meanwhile, Israel struck the last remaining bridge over the Litani River linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, effectively isolating the region. Israel has said it aims to establish a buffer zone south of the river.

With evacuation orders covering about 15% of Lebanon’s territory, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced. Many had hoped a ceasefire would allow them to return home.

Before the latest escalation, over 1,500 people, including more than 130 children, had already been killed in Israel’s campaign.

“Hopefully a ceasefire will be reached,” said one displaced resident. “Lebanon can’t take it anymore.”