Death toll rises in Lebanon as Israel launches series of airstrikes
The death toll in Beirut has exceeded 300 after Israeli forces launched airstrikes in Lebanon, with at least 1,150 people reported injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The strikes came just hours after the U.S. announced a ceasefire in Iran. Around midday on Wednesday, multiple air raids hit parts of Lebanon, sending residents scrambling for safety as high-rise buildings billowed thick smoke. Hundreds were killed, with more than a thousand others wounded.
Initial figures from the health ministry put the death toll at 203, with over 1,000 injured. But by Friday, authorities said the casualty figure had risen to 303.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not relent in its military operations, ruling out any immediate ceasefire. He reiterated that the objective remains “to secure a historic and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”
“There is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” BBC News cited a statement from the prime minister’s office on Friday. “We continue to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security.”
Mr Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to contradict U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Israel might scale back its attacks.
“I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” Mr Trump told NBC News on Friday.
The U.S. president also sent Vice President J.D. Vance to Pakistan for talks aimed at negotiating peace with Tehran. Mr Trump said Iran was was acceding to U.S.’s demands.
Iranian officials were “agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to,” Mr Trump said.
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