TEL AVIV: The Israeli government has announced a countrywide state of emergency on Monday evening, set to last until September 30, in reply to escalating attacks on Lebanon and the expected increase in rocket fire from Hezbollah.
According to Israeli media, the Cabinet has voted to declare a “special home front situation” across the country, with the decision made through phone at the proposal of the Defense Minister.
The announcement follows an Israeli assassination bid targeting Ali Karaki, a senior Hezbollah military leader. Israeli Army Radio hinted that strikes on a southern suburb of Beirut aimed at Karaki, but details on his current status remain unclear.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry stated that more than 492 people, including 35 kids, have been killed and over 1,645 injured in Israeli strikes in the country.
Earlier, Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad said the death toll in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday rose to 356, including 24 children and 42 women, while thousands of families fled the relentless Israeli bombardment.
The world has expressed deep concerns that these strikes may escalate the current war, potentially spreading the violence at regional level.
