The deadliest airstrike in Lebanon since the 1975-90 civil war has claimed over 500 lives including children and women so far. As massive Israeli bombardment continues in the southern region, the United Nations and other world leaders urged those with influence in the Middle East to seek to avert a wider escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, forcing hundreds of families to flee south.
Also, several Hebrew-language media outlets reported on Monday night that the Israel Defence Forces assessed that 50 per cent of Hezbollah's rocket capabilities were destroyed in Lebanon strikes.
IDF struck around 1,600 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday night targeting homes, where Hezbollah likely stores their ammunition and weapons.
According to the military, ammunition included cruise missiles, medium-range rockets, short-range heavy rockets, and explosive drones.
IDF has not yet said it has destroyed Hezbollah's long-range rockets and precision-guided missiles.
Military had confirmed that the strikes have prevented Hezbollah from carrying out large and extensive attacks on Israel.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah is considered to have an exceptionally strong military wing. Military-wise Hezbollah is far more powerful than Hamas. They are better trained, armed and fought for years in Syria. Experts opine that Hezbollah’s ‘counter-attack’ could cost dear to Israel.
It is also reported that Hezbollah has so far not used its larger and longer-range weapons.
According to Israel's assessments in October last year, Hezbollah had over 2,00,000 rockets, mortars and missiles.
The militant group also has around 400 long-range rockets, hundreds of precision-guided missiles, 4,800 medium-range rockets, 65,000 short-range rockets, and 1,40,000 mortars, reported Times of Israel.
Hezbollah is also believed to have hundreds of explosive-laden drones, around 100 anti-ship missiles and at least 17 anti-aircraft systems.
Hezbollah has so far launched over 8,000 rockets and hundreds of drones at northern Israel amid cross-border tensions since the Gaza war.