More than half a million people in Lebanon have been displaced after fighting between Israel and Hezbollah broke out again amid escalating regional warfare.
Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed said a total of 517,000 people have registered as displaced people on the ministry's system since fighting resumed. Among them are 117,228 people residing in government-managed shelters.
The announcement was made on March 8, when Israel expanded its military campaign in Lebanon and launched its first attack on the center of Beirut. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the attacks in 1 week killed 394 people, including 83 children, 42 women and 9 rescuers.
Fighting spread after Hezbollah launched missiles and drones into Israel in response to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's deaths in US and Israeli airstrikes. Israel then launched fierce airstrikes into southern Lebanon, eastern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The Israeli army also brought ground forces into southern Lebanon, controlling some high points near the border. Tanks and armored vehicles concentrated in the border area raised concerns about a large-scale attack.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to launch missiles and drones into northern Israel every day and said their forces are fighting with the Israeli army near the border town of Aitaroun.
The Israeli military confirmed that 2 soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon. One soldier was identified as Maher Khatar, 38 years old. The incident occurred when an armored bulldozer was hit, causing fire and killing 2 soldiers.
Alarms continuously rang in many northern Israeli cities such as Haifa as missiles and drones were launched from Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that the country has been drawn into a devastating war they did not choose, and said that the current scale of the evacuation could cause unprecedented humanitarian and political consequences.
