The mounting mortality in Lebanon, confirmed by Israel’s continued deployment of air raids against Hizbullah, showed no signs of abating on Tuesday. The Lebanese health ministry reports that from Monday, casualties have risen to a total of 558, amongst which are 50 children and 94 women. Injuries count for 1,835 individuals so far.
With escalating tensions, a considerable number of inhabitants have been pushed to abandon their homes. According to Lebanon’s government, close to 30,000 displaced individuals have sought refuge in schools across the nation.
The concern now is the potential expansion of the conflict involving Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza strip, which has been raging for 11 months. This conflict has only been heightened by Israel’s assault on Hizbullah, backed by Iran.
From Gaza, the focus of Israel now moves to its northern borders adjoining Lebanon, as Hizbullah continues to support Hamas by launching rockets into Israel. On Tuesday, in what Israel termed a “targeted” air strike, the Hizbullah stronghold of Dahiye in southern Beirut was hit – marking the third attack on Lebanon’s capital within a week. Israel’s military subsequently declared the death of Ibrahim Qubaisi, reputedly the chief commander of Hizbullah’s missile and rocket division. The strike has reportedly resulted in six fatalities and 15 injuries, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Hizbullah carries on launching missiles across the Lebanese-Israel border, but there haven’t been any reported casualties in Israel yet. Israel’s military strategy prioritises securing its northern border and facilitating the return of displaced residents. In comparison to the 60,000 Israelis that the military aims to return to the north, the number of displaced Lebanese people is virtually double, even before the recent escalation.
Conveying his situation over a phone call from Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, Elias Maalouf, proprietor of the Chateau Rayak vineyard, informed that a neighbouring structure roughly 20 metres from his estate was targeted on Monday. The attack resulted in significant harm to both his residence and business. Miraculously, Maalouf and his elderly father escaped injury as they were in the sole undamaged area of the house.
Addressing the proximity of a Hizbullah military base or any equivalent establishment, Maalouf commented, “How could it be possible to identify such presence? What appeared to be a normal residence facing our wine farm turned out to be a Hizbullah hideout,”
An explosive noise interrupted their conversation hinting at the ongoing bombardment. Maalouf characterised the situation stating, “They’ve been incessantly bombing since yesterday. Every half an hour, the sound of descending bombs echoes.”
Maalouf is under the impression that there are innumerous casualties in his vicinity, mentioning a time when people arrived at his property in hope of finding bodies reported missing. The location of these bodies was largely unknown.
Concerned for their safety, the 43-year-olds dispatched his spouse and three young offspring to a safer locale in western Lebanon, following rumours of potential attacks on their area. Nevertheless, Maalouf intends to persist with harvesting and processing grapes this week, despite the constant threat of new attacks, taking refuge in his damaged home when necessary.
“In light of the ongoing wine making season, it is impractical for me to abandon my vineyards,” he noted, comparing his commitment to his land to a soldier’s loyalty to his duty. Additional information was provided by Reuters.