Beirut, April 8 (SANA) Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds on Wednesday, Lebanese health authorities said, in what officials described as a major escalation.
The Emergency Operations Center at the Lebanese Ministry of Health said in a statement that Israeli strikes targeted several areas simultaneously, describing the escalation as “very serious” and reporting an initial toll of dozens killed and hundreds wounded.
Emergency teams were prioritizing rescue operations to reach people trapped under debris and ensure medical care for the injured, distributing patients among hospitals based on the severity of their conditions, the statement said.
The Lebanese Red Cross said around 100 ambulances had been deployed to affected areas to transport the wounded.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on international partners to help halt the attacks, saying they were undermining efforts to reach a ceasefire.
“While we welcomed the agreement between Iran and the United States and intensified efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, Israel continues expanding its attacks on densely populated residential areas,” Salam wrote on X, adding that the strikes were causing civilian casualties and violating international law.
The Israeli military said it carried out one of its most intense operations since the start of the conflict, targeting more than 100 sites within minutes, including locations in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
It said the strikes hit what it described as command centers and military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah militia.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry had earlier reported at least 12 deaths and dozens of injuries in separate strikes on southern areas before the latest escalation.
F.J./ABD
