Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on villages in the Nabatiyeh district, seen from the southern town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, on September 23, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says a wave of Israeli airstrikes across the country on Monday (September 23, 2024) have killed 50 people and wounded more than 300.

The Ministry said that the preliminary toll included women and children.

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The airstrikes hit wide areas in southern and northeastern Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it struck 300 targets in Lebanon as it steps up pressure against the Hezbollah militant group.

The Army announced the strikes on the social media platform X, posting a photo of what is said was the military chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, approving additional attacks from military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

It is one of the most intense barrages of airstrikes in nearly one year of fighting against Hezbollah. Halevi and other Israeli leaders have promised tougher action against Hezbollah in the coming days.

As Israel was carrying out the attacks, Israeli authorities reported a series of air-raid sirens in northern Israel warning of incoming rocket fire from Lebanon.

Israel earlier Monday urged residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes in areas where it claims Hezbollah has stored weapons, warning of “extensive strikes” there.