Israel has vowed it will not cease its attacks on Hezbollah – and that strikes will only be accelerated.

Amid fears of all-out war in the region, 558 people were killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon this week.

The recent escalation comes on the back of pager and radio explosions targeting Hezbollah, which have largely been attributed to Israel.

Israel ‘airdropping leaflets with dangerous barcode’ – follow live

Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday that Hezbollah must not be given a break, and attacks on the Iran-backed group must be stepped up.

“The situation requires continued, intense action in all arenas,” he added.

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Israel’s military released footage said to show airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages, in Sidon, Lebanon, yesterday. Pic: AP
Image:
Cars sit in traffic as they flee the southern villages, in Sidon, Lebanon, this week. Pic: AP

In other major developments:
• 50 children are among the dead after Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week
• Diplomatic efforts continue in the UN general assembly amid fears of all-out war in the region
• British Defence Secretary John Healey is set to chair a COBRA meeting in light of escalating tensions
• British nationals have been advised to leave Lebanon while they still can
• The streets of southern Lebanon were gridlocked as thousands sought to flee further Israeli strikes
• Hezbollah claims to have conducted retaliatory strikes on Israel
• In Israel’s latest attacks on Beirut, reports claim that Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi was killed

Israel's Iron Dome air defence system fires to intercept rockets launched from Lebanon. Pic: AP
Image:
Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system fires to intercept rockets launched from Lebanon. Pic: AP

Thousands flee

Israel and Hezbollah have traded strikes this week as attacks on Lebanon claimed 558 lives, health minister Firas Abiad said.

This included 50 children, and a further 1,835 people were injured.

Rocket sirens blared in northern Israel on Tuesday as volleys of attacks were launched from Lebanon, and Israel’s Iron Dome defence system was activated.

The Israeli military said that on Monday and Tuesday, it struck over 1,500 Hezbollah targets, destroying missiles, rockets, and drones – including weapons stored in private homes.

It comes as many fear the two are edging towards all-out war as this week has seen much-intensified hostilities in the region.

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
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Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Mahmoudieh mountain, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon. Pic: AP

This map shows data from NASA picking up thermal activity in Lebanon when Israel stepped up missile attacks this week
Image:
This map shows data from NASA picking up thermal activity in Lebanon when Israel stepped up missile attacks this week

The initial rounds of Israeli attacks sent thousands of families fleeing from their homes in south Lebanon, amid fears of further strikes.

Photos showed gridlocked roads heading north, in what is said to be the biggest exodus since the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.

The government has ordered schools and universities to close across the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

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Sky’s Alex Crawford witnesses new airstrikes

Diplomatic efforts continue

The UN general assembly is taking place in the shadow cast by escalating tensions in the Middle East and conflicts elsewhere.

Leading powers will be working to take steps away from the escalating clashes.

The US has insisted it still thinks de-escalation on Israel’s northern border is possible and it can find a path to a ceasefire in Gaza as well.

However, recent days are a far cry from apparent optimism in the Biden administration last month when the US President said they were “closer than we’ve ever been” to a ceasefire.