Beirut: Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least 492 people on Monday, including 35 children, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The strikes, part of Israel's "Operation Northern Arrows," represent the deadliest day of cross-border violence since the Gaza conflict erupted earlier this month.

The Israeli military targeted approximately 1,600 Hezbollah sites, including a "precision strike" in Beirut. While Israel claimed to have killed a significant number of Hezbollah militants, the group’s third-in-command, Ali Karake, was reportedly unharmed, having moved to safety before the strikes.

In retaliation, Hezbollah launched waves of missiles at Israeli military sites near Haifa and in other areas. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 1,645 injuries and said thousands of families have been displaced amid ongoing violence.

The conflict, which began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, has now drawn in Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups, escalating tensions across the region. Global leaders, including France, Egypt, and the United Nations, have called for immediate de-escalation, warning of the catastrophic consequences of a wider regional war.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli strikes, urging world powers to intervene and prevent further destruction in Lebanon. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that Washington is working to de-escalate the situation, while the Pentagon has deployed additional military resources to the region.

The international community, including the G7 and EU, has expressed deep concern over the growing civilian toll and warned that the situation could spiral into a full-fledged war if the violence continues to intensify.