BEIRUT: At least 217 people have been killed and 798 wounded in Lebanon since the start of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah earlier this week, Lebanon’s health ministry said Saturday.
The latest figures mark a sharp increase from the previous toll released on Thursday evening, which reported 123 people killed and 683 wounded.
Israeli air strikes continued on Friday, targeting areas in southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Strikes in Beirut
Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, targeting what Israel described as command centres and infrastructure linked to the group.
Among the sites hit were facilities associated with Hezbollah’s naval and financial units, according to reports.
Attacks in southern and eastern Lebanon
Heavy bombardment also continued across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
In the southern city of Sidon, an air strike reportedly killed five people and wounded seven others on Friday, according to local officials.
Hezbollah launches rockets
Hezbollah said it had launched rockets and drones toward northern Israel in response to the Israeli attacks.
Israeli authorities warned residents living within five kilometres of the Lebanese border to evacuate as cross-border fire intensified.
Growing humanitarian crisis
The escalating violence has triggered widespread displacement across Lebanon.
Estimates suggest between 95,000 and 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes following evacuation orders and continued air strikes.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned the country could face a “looming humanitarian disaster,” with many families sleeping in cars, parks, and temporary shelters as roads in Beirut remain heavily congested.
People flee to Syria
Thousands have also fled across Lebanon’s eastern border into Syria.
More than 65,000 people have crossed the border seeking safety since the fighting intensified, according to available reports.
