The bloodiest day in Lebanon: Will the world take action to prevent a Gaza-like scenario in the South?

In a significant escalation, the Israeli army announced on the evening of Monday, September 23, that it had bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese capital. Israeli Army Radio, citing sources, reported that the target of the strike was Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki, though Hezbollah denied reports of his assassination.

As of the writing of this report, Monday, September 23 is considered the bloodiest day in the history of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, with a current death toll of "558 martyrs, including 50 children and 94 women who have been identified, while others remain unidentified." The number of injured has risen to over 1,835, according to statements by Lebanon’s health minister. The minister further noted that the violent Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon specifically targeted civilians, ambulances, fire trucks, and convoys of displaced people.

According to the BBC, the airstrikes hit locations in Lebanon’s western and eastern mountain ranges, extending as far as the Hermel region. The bombings also struck lands in Jbeil, Laqlouq, and Mairouba, located northeast of Beirut. Numerous villages were struck, including Aitaroun, Maroun El Ras, the outskirts of al-Bissariyeh, areas between Roumine and Deir Zahrani, Bafliyeh, between Aanqoun and Maghdoucheh, Hula, Majdal Selm, Sultaniyeh, between Habbouch and Arabsalim, Toura, Ayta al-Shaab, Baraachit, Hariss, between Deir Qanoun and al-Halousiyeh, Khiam, Douair, Jibchit, between Ansar and Zrariyeh, Kounine, Beit Yahoun, Jabal Safi, Wadi Kfar Melki, Kfar Sir, Adloun, Harees, Toul, ‘Masaken’ Bourj al-Shamali, the outskirts of Ghandouriyeh, the heights of Sohmor, the outskirts of Qanarit, between Jibchit and Aadchit, Beit Lif, Meiss El Jabal, the plains of Adloun, Nmairiyeh valley, Hanin valley, Maarakeh, Khirbet Selm, the outskirts of Jbaa, Bleida, Hadatha, Rachaf, al-Tiri, Talloussa, Markaba, Wadi al-Hujair, Taybeh, Kfar Remmen, and Bint Jbeil.

Lebanese civilians receive warning calls

While the damage to buildings and infrastructure has yet to be fully assessed, the airstrikes have caused the mass displacement of thousands of civilians from southern Lebanese villages and towns. Overcrowded roads have slowed the evacuation process. Media reported thousands of people stuck on roads in their cars due to the jam-packed roads and highways, forced to remain in their cars into the early hours of the Tuesday morning.

September 23 is now considered the bloodiest day in the history of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, with a current death toll of "558 martyrs, including 50 children and 94 women who have been identified, while others remain unidentified,” and at least 1,835 injured, according to Lebanon’s health minister.

According to AFP, the airstrikes hit large areas and valleys in the Nabatieh Governorate and scattered regions around Tyre. Additionally, a large number of Lebanese in the South, the Beqaa Valley, and other areas received random phone messages in the early morning urging them to "evacuate their locations immediately." Lebanon’s telecommunications company, Ogero, also reported that "Lebanon received more than 80,000 suspected Israeli calls on Monday, instructing people to evacuate."

Netanyahu: “We are not taking our foot off the gas”

The Israeli Chief of Staff and Air Force Commander announced that "we attacked around 800 Hezbollah targets." Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, in a press conference, stated, "Civilians in Lebanese villages located near areas and buildings used by Hezbollah should immediately move out of the area for their own safety," and confirmed that they will "launch more airstrikes."

The Israel Hayom newspaper reported a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, "We are not taking our foot off the gas,” indicating that major Israeli military operations had begun against Lebanon and would not cease.

Israeli military spokesperson Major General Daniel Heyman affirmed that the airstrikes targeted "Hezbollah’s infrastructure," while the Israeli Home Front Command advised residents in central and northern Golan Heights, as well as areas in Galilee, to remain close to shelters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "We are not taking our foot off the gas,” indicating that major Israeli military operations had begun against Lebanon and would not cease.

Yedioth Ahronoth cited security sources claiming that "hundreds of warplanes and aircraft participated in the operations in Lebanon, simultaneously bombing Hezbollah sites. The Israeli army had prepared for years for these attacks, with the support of Military Intelligence and the Air Force. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has been managing the operations from the Ministry of Defense since the morning."

Hezbollah: "We've entered a new phase-an open reckoning with Israel"

In response, Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General, Naim Qassem, declared that “we have entered a new phase, namely an open reckoning” with Israel.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the intense Israeli bombardment of Lebanon during an emergency committee meeting, calling on the international community to intervene. He stated, “The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan aimed at destroying and wiping out Lebanese villages and towns.” He urged "the United Nations, the General Assembly, and influential countries to take action and deter the Israeli aggression.”

In response, Hezbollah announced in a statement that it launched attacks on three Israeli targets on Monday, retaliating for the heavy Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon that began earlier that morning. The group claimed it targeted "the Northern Corps' backup headquarters, the reserve base of the Galilee Brigade, its logistical warehouses in the Amiad base, and the military industry complexes of Rafael weapons company in the Zevulun area north of Haifa with dozens of rockets."

Hezbollah also said it targeted the Megiddo military airport west of Afula, an explosives factory in the Zikhron area, located 60 kilometers from the border, as well as the Amos Base, which is the main logistics and transport base for the northern region. Additionally, the Ramat David Airbase was hit by a barrage of Fadi 2 rockets, and the Kiryat Shmona settlement was also shelled with rockets.

Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, addressed the Lebanese people, saying: "We cannot reassure the public in the face of Israeli assaults, but we want to let them know that their state stands by themand is doing everything necessary to the best of its ability, providing relief and aid as needed. The Ministry of Interior and the Central Security Council are holding continuous meetings to monitor and analyze the situation, ensuring we remain alongside the people and safeguard internal security from any breaches."

A large number of Lebanese in South Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and other areas received random phone messages in the early morning urging them to "evacuate their locations immediately." Lebanon’s telecommunications company, Ogero, also reported that "Lebanon received more than 80,000 suspected Israeli calls on Monday, instructing people to evacuate."

A flood of international statements emerged, warning against the expansion and prolongation of the war while calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomatic means to resolve the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged "immediate restraint" and called for a halt to escalation, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed "grave concern," urging an immediate ceasefire and restraint from the international community. The calls for de-escalation were echoed by France and the United Nations, both calling for immediate calm.

For the first time, a statement was issued by the office of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest Shiite authority in Iraq, calling on believers to take action and “contribute to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people and ensure their needs are met."

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, issued an urgent statement on the escalating hostilities, stating that “just as in Gaza… civilians are paying a heavy price, and they will be the ones who suffer the most in a total war, which must be avoided, including through renewed intense diplomatic efforts. This will be at the top of our agenda at the UN General Assembly. We also call once again for the full and equal implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701."