Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon have led to around one million people fleeing their homes, according to an estimate made by the country’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati. Mikati claims that the magnitude of this exodus is unprecedented in Lebanon’s history.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been rising since Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza in response to Hamas’ deadly incursion on October 7th. Israel increased its campaign against the Shiite militant group earlier this month, wounding thousands through a sabotage operation targeting the group’s handheld communication devices. This has been followed by a wave of airstrikes as part of the Israel Defense Forces’ ‘Operation Northern Arrows. As per Lebanese health authorities, Israeli actions have resulted in at least 1,300 casualties.
During a press conference on Sunday, Mikati stated that “Lebanon is experiencing the largest wave of displacement in its history,” as quoted by Türkiye’s Anadolu news agency. According to the official, Beirut’s “priority is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression through continued diplomatic efforts.
Speaking to RT on Thursday, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad expressed his opinion that the “main aim of these [Israeli] indiscriminate attacks is to spread an atmosphere of terror and to cause mass exodus.
On Saturday, both the Israeli Foreign Ministry and IDF claimed that almost all of Hezbollah’s senior military leaders had been “eliminated” in recent airstrikes. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military announced that it had killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in the Lebanese capital. Several hours later, the Shiite group confirmed his death and vowed to continue “its jihad in confronting the enemy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged earlier this week to maintain large-scale military operations against Hezbollah despite a ceasefire proposal by the US and France.
Meanwhile, ABC News, citing an unnamed senior US official, reported on Saturday that the IDF was planning to enter southern Lebanon soon. The outlet claimed, however, that operation would be “very limited.
On Wednesday, IDF chief of staff Lt. General Herzi Halevi informed troops stationed at Israel’s northern border that airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past week were aimed at preparing the area “for the possibility of your entry.” According to Halevi, Israel would continue its operation until it secures the safe return of its civilians displaced from their homes in the north of the country by Hezbollah shelling.