Netanyahu vows no ‘mercy’ against Hezbollah as Israel fires 200 airstrikes across Lebanon

Israel has expanded its targets against Hezbollah, launching 200 strikes across Lebanon in the past 24 hours.

Focus areas include the Bekaa Valley, Beirut suburbs, and southern Lebanon, where tensions with UN peacekeepers have risen.

“We will continue to mercilessly strike Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon — including Beirut,” Netanyahu said on a visit to the base near Binyamina, south of Haifa.

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In response, Hezbollah retaliated with counterstrikes in al-Marj, targeting Israeli forces. No casualties were reported.

Hezbollah confirmed that its “fighters clashed with” Israeli troops Tuesday who were trying to infiltrate on the outskirts of Rab Tlatin village.

The group has intensified ballistic missile use, targeting Haifa with surface-to-surface missiles, forcing northern Israel residents to seek shelter.

A previous Israeli strike on Aitou, a Christian-majority town, killed 21, according to Lebanese health officials.

The conflict in Lebanon has taken a devastating toll, with at least 2,300 lives lost since Israel escalated its bombing campaign last month, according to Lebanese health ministry figures reported by AFP. However, the actual number of casualties is likely much higher.

Nicolas Von Arx, regional director of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has urged for the protection of ambulances, health facilities, and personnel, describing the attacks on them as “deeply worrying.” The situation remains dire, with no signs of resolution in sight.