With nearly 700 killed in a week, Lebanon fears Gaza-level violence

More than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas since the war in Gaza began, according to the International Organisation for Migration. 

According to the Lebanese health ministry, a total of 1,540 people have been killed within its borders in that time — almost half of them during the last week as Israeli airstrikes devastated parts of the country. 

Israel has dramatically escalated its assault on Lebanese targets, saying it intends to eliminate Hezbollah’s military capacities and senior Hezbollah commanders. 

Top Israeli officials have threatened to repeat the destruction of Gaza in Lebanon if Hezbollah’s aerial attacks continue.

Incoming fire from Lebanon into Israel continued on Friday, with one man suffering wounds from shrapnel. 

The Israeli military said four drones came across the border, but that all of them were intercepted. Earlier that day, another ten projectiles came into Israel from Lebanon, with some intercepted and others falling into open fields.

Meanwhile, an overnight Israeli airstrike in Syria killed five Syrian army soldiers and injured another, according to the Syrian state news agency, SANA.

The US, France and other allies jointly called for a 21-day ceasefire, with Lebanon’s foreign minister welcoming the proposal and decrying Israel’s “systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages”. 

However, Netanyahu says Israel is striking Hezbollah “with full force” and that it will not stop until its goals are achieved.  

Israeli military vehicles have been seen transporting tanks and armoured vehicles towards the country’s northern border with Lebanon, and commanders have issued a call-up of reservists.