War in Lebanon: tens of thousands flee north as 492 killed in Israeli airstrikes | BBC News

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 492 people in Lebanon in a single day, according to the authorities there, as the conflict escalated into full-scale war. More than 1,600 people were reported to have been injured.

Tens of thousands of people in southern Lebanon fled their homes and headed north on the main road to the capital Beirut in the face of the Israeli assault.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was to change the “security balance” along its northern border. Hezbollah militia, backed by Iran, have been firing rockets across the border into Israel since the Hamas attack of October 7th which led to the war in Gaza.

Israel Defence Forces said it had hit more than 1,300 Hezbollah targets in 24 hours. Hezbollah was reported to have fired 35 rockets into Israel, with no reports of any casualties.

The conflict in Lebanon has escalated sharply in recent days, after pagers and radio handsets exploded, killing and injuring many members of Hezbollah. Israel has not admitted responsibility but is widely regarded as having been behind the attacks.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Orla Guerin in Beirut, Paul Adams in northern Israel and Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem.

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