The death toll in Israel’s strikes on strongholds of Hezbollah across Lebanon has risen to 558. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, 1,835 people have been wounded in the strike which began yesterday during which Israel and Hezbollah exchanged heavy fire. As per the media reports, Israeli army has said that it will ‘accelerate offensive actions’ in Lebanon today also. On the other hand, Hezbollah has said in a statement today that it bombed Israel’s Elyakim military base, south of Haifa, with Fadi 2 missiles.

Meanwhile, World leaders and the United Nations called for urgent de-escalation. White House in a statement said that the US is determined to bring about a Gaza ceasefire and captive deal with Hamas while it also seeks to deescalate tensions on Israel’s border with Lebanon.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, he is gravely alarmed by the escalating situation between Israel and Lebanon and the large number of civilian casualties, including children and women.

The Israeli jets today conducted a targeted strike in Beirut as per the media reports, quoting the Israeli military. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recorded message, urged Lebanese civilians to heed their calls to evacuate, ahead of its widening air campaign against Hezbollah, news agency AP reported.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for restraint and de-escalation on the border between Lebanon and Israel.