Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 31 people and injured 40 others on Tuesday, according to Lebanese health authorities and international media reports, as Israel sharply intensified military operations across multiple areas near the border.
Among the worst-hit locations was the town of Burj al-Shamali, where several civilians, including children, were reported killed after buildings collapsed during the strikes. Rescue workers continued searching through debris late into the night as fears remained that more victims were trapped under the rubble.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the latest bombardment added to a growing death toll linked to ongoing hostilities. Officials said Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed more than 3,200 people across Lebanon, deepening humanitarian concerns and increasing pressure on already strained medical and rescue services.
The Israeli military also issued fresh evacuation orders for seven areas in southern Lebanon, warning residents to leave immediately. The move sparked renewed fears of mass displacement as civilians rushed to escape areas expected to face additional attacks.
Reuters and Arab media outlets reported that Israel carried out more than 120 airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon within hours. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that ground operations had expanded beyond the previously declared security zone, signaling a possible escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah.
The latest violence has further weakened the fragile ceasefire understanding between Israel and Hezbollah. Southern Lebanon has witnessed repeated exchanges of fire, evacuation warnings, and military operations in recent weeks, raising international concern over the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks also continued in Gaza, where at least seven Palestinians were killed and more than 20 others injured in separate strikes, according to hospital officials and Arab media reports.
Medical officials in central Gaza said five people died after an Israeli drone strike targeted a refugee camp. In Khan Younis, another Israeli strike hit a vehicle, killing at least two people and wounding several others.
Israeli authorities also claimed responsibility for an operation targeting Mohammad Odeh, whom Israel identified as Hamas’s newly appointed military chief in Gaza. Reports said the strike took place in Gaza City, where Palestinian hospital officials confirmed multiple casualties and injuries following the attack.
The latest escalation comes amid growing international concern over the expanding conflict fronts involving Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon, with fears mounting that continued military operations could destabilize the wider Middle East region.
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