It is the highest number of casualties in southern Lebanon since the war-like clashes between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah began almost a year ago.
The Israeli army gave the massive military operation the code name “Arrows of the North”. The military said this was announced by Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
Israel has repeatedly given such code names to offensives against its enemies, for example in the case of the wars against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It can be interpreted as an indication that the operation in Lebanon will continue.
Israel attacked more than 1,300 targets
Israel’s military also carried out an airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut, which media reports said was aimed at a high-ranking Hezbollah commander. The Israeli military said it had attacked more than 1,300 targets in Lebanon – and the attacks were still ongoing on Monday evening. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a message directly to the Lebanese people: “Israel’s war is not with you, but with Hezbollah,” he said. “Hezbollah has used you as human shields for far too long.” In order to defend Israel against Hezbollah attacks, the militia’s weapons must be rendered harmless, Netanyahu argued.
According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah fired more than 150 missiles at civilian areas in Israel. Some of them were intercepted by missile defense systems, while others landed in open areas. There were initially no reports of injuries or damage to property.
State of emergency declared in Israel
Following the massive air strikes in Lebanon, the Israeli government declared a nationwide state of emergency in anticipation of counterattacks. According to media reports, the decision means, among other things, that the size of gatherings can be restricted.
As Austrian Airlines told APA on Monday evening, connections to and from Tel Aviv and from and to Tehran will remain suspended until October 14th due to the unstable situation in the region. Connections to Amman and Erbil will continue as planned. Affected passengers will be offered rebooking and cancellation options, it said.