Israel Intensifies Lebanon Airstrikes; Over 250 Killed in Latest Escalation

Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes across Lebanon on Thursday, April 9, 2026, targeting the southern town of Al-Duair (Khairbet Al-Duair) just hours after one of the deadliest days in the ongoing conflict.

The latest bombardment follows a massive Israeli operation on Wednesday night that killed at least 254 people and wounded 1,165 others. The Lebanese government has declared a national day of mourning as emergency teams warn that the death toll is rising rapidly due to the scale of the destruction in residential areas.

According to the Lebanese Civil Defense, the strikes have hit several major hubs, including Baalbek, Nabatieh, Sidon, Tiro

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, stating that Israeli forces targeted "densely populated residential zones" despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire.

The Lebanese government highlighted that while a ceasefire agreement was signed in November 2024, the last 15 months have been marred by repeated violations. Officials described the current escalation as a "flagrant disregard for humanitarian values," noting that no effective international measures have been taken to stop the violence.

The conflict, which saw a major resumption in March 2026, has now displaced over 1.2 million people—nearly 20% of Lebanon's population—triggering a severe humanitarian crisis.