Israeli Attacks Displace One Million in Lebanon

Israeli Military Launches Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military has begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, according to a statement released on Monday. The operation marks a new front in the ongoing regional conflict.

Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets and drones at Israel for the first time in about a year on March 2, in response to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Since then, Israeli attacks have continued near-daily, violating the November 2024 ceasefire. Between March 2 and March 16, at least 886 people have been killed, including 67 women, 111 children, and 38 health workers, and 2,141 people wounded, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

Over one million Lebanese have been displaced from their homes, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stating that the return of people to the country’s south will not be allowed until the safety of Israelis is guaranteed. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) has recorded at least 394 Israeli attacks on Lebanon, mostly concentrated in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Israeli warplanes have targeted several areas in Beirut, including Haret Hreik, the Bashoura neighbourhood, and Ramlet al-Baida. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed at least 5,282 people, according to the latest figures from the Lebanese Health Ministry and historical data compiled by ACLED.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked southern Israel, prompting Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, while Yemen’s Houthi group also attacked ships in the Red Sea. The conflict has resulted in significant displacement and loss of life.

In November 2024, Israel and Hezbollah signed a ceasefire deal, but Israel refused to pull out its troops and continued attacks in violation of the agreement. On March 12, the Israeli army expanded its forced displacement orders for residents of southern Lebanon, covering more than 1,470sq km of territory.

Source: Al Jazeera