Israeli strikes killed 51 in Lebanon

Residents of a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike return to collect their family’s belongings at the site of Thursday’s Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Image- AP

Israeli airstrikes on Saturday hit multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, killing 51 people and causing damage to hospitals, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, as fighting with the Hezbollah militant group continued.

Increased air strikes on what Israel describes as sites of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon since September 23 have killed more than 1,300 people, according to an AFP tally of official figures, including for Saturday.

The total toll in Lebanon over the past year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is now 2,255 killed and over 10,000 wounded, according to the ministry. More than 1,400 people have been killed since mid-September. It isn’t clear how many were fighters.

The Israeli military on Saturday renewed its orders for Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip to leave their homes and shelters as troops continue a weeklong offensive against militants.

Most of the fighting has centered in and around Jabaliya, which has been pounded by Israeli war jets and artillery. Residents said they have been trapped inside their homes and shelters.

Israel has also been escalating its campaign against Hezbollah with waves of heavy airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion at the border after a year of exchanges of fire. Israel is now at war with Hamas in Gaza and Hamas’ ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

With inputs from agencies.