The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the tragic toll on the same day Israel officially announced a massive intensification and expansion of its ground operations. The Israeli army has issued an urgent evacuation order for residents of up to 50 towns and villages in the south and east of the country.
Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon left 31 dead on Tuesday, Lebanon’s health ministry said. During the day, Israel announced the intensification of attacks against the Hezbollah militant movement, despite the ceasefire, TASR writes, according to an AFP report.
- Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon killed 31 people on Tuesday.
- Among the victims of the attacks were at least four children and three women.
- Another 40 people were injured in the attacks.
- The Israeli army expanded ground operations and ordered the evacuation of 50 locations.
- Since the beginning of March, over 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
More than 30 victims and another 40 injured
In an official statement, the Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed that 31 people were killed, including at least four children and three women. Another 40 people were injured.
The Israeli army on Tuesday called on the residents of about 50 villages and towns in the south and east of Lebanon to evacuate, and at the same time announced the expansion of its ground operations in the country.
In the meantime, Hezbollah announced attacks against Israeli troops heading to the town of Zautar al-Sharqiya. The militants claimed responsibility for a series of drone and rocket attacks and said they had engaged in direct combat with Israeli troops. They also admitted to drone strikes on Israeli army barracks in northern Israel.
Intensification of operations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that his country is intensifying operations in Lebanon. “(The army) is operating with significant forces on the ground and securing strategically important positions. We are strengthening the security buffer zone in order to protect the villages in the north of Israel,” he stated.
According to Lebanese authorities, more than 3,100 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2, when Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the Middle East war. Fighting between the two sides continues despite the truce they concluded in mid-April.
