Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon: Hundreds of casualties and wounded, medical emergency
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon: Red Cross: Over 40 casualties and hundreds wounded, toll expected to rise
The Lebanese Red Cross reported on Wednesday a large number of casualties in the series of violent Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. Media reports indicated that more than 40 people had been killed and hundreds wounded so far, with figures expected to rise.
Within 10 minutes, Israeli warplanes launched a series of strikes described as the fiercest since the start of the war, targeting Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said in a statement that it had targeted around 100 military sites and Hezbollah infrastructure, adding that these strikes constituted the largest offensive operation against Hezbollah’s infrastructure since the start of “Lion’s Roar” operation.
Lebanon’s health minister told Reuters that Lebanese hospitals were overcrowded with casualties, as ambulances rushed to the targeted areas across the country and hospitals activated emergency plans to cope with the situation.
Lebanese army urges caution on returns
The Lebanese army called on displaced people to exercise caution before returning to their homes in the south, warning against approaching areas where Israeli forces had entered “to preserve their safety.” A small number of residents were seen heading in their cars on Wednesday morning toward areas they had evacuated at the start of the war.
Ambiguity over Lebanon’s inclusion
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel supports the suspension of attacks on Iran for two weeks, but stressed that this agreement “does not include Lebanon.” In contrast, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the agreement includes an immediate ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon.” The Associated Press quoted a participant in the negotiations as saying that Lebanon is covered by the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah urges delayed return
Hezbollah, for its part, called on residents in a statement not to head to targeted villages, towns and areas in the south, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs until a final official announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon is issued.
The group has not announced any attacks on Israel since midnight. Reuters quoted three Lebanese sources close to Hezbollah as saying the group had halted attacks on northern Israel as part of the ceasefire. The Financial Times indicated that the group is committed to the ceasefire and that its next steps will depend on Israel’s position.
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Israeli airstrike on #Corniche_al_Mazraa #Beirut pic.twitter.com/MsmZmrWqRD— Marwan Khaddaj | مروان خدّاج (@MarwanKhaddaj) April 8, 2026
