21 March,2026 01:05 PM IST | Beirut | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to official figures released on Friday, reported news agency IANS.
The latest casualties have pushed the overall death toll to 1,021, with 2,641 people injured since the escalation of hostilities began earlier this month.
Authorities said the fresh wave of airstrikes has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with civilian casualties continuing to mount across multiple regions, reported IANS.
The ongoing conflict has seen repeated aerial and ground attacks, further worsening conditions on the ground.
The situation has also triggered large-scale displacement, with over 134,000 people forced to flee their homes.
Officials said 134,616 displaced persons are currently being housed in 644 shelters across the country, placing immense strain on relief infrastructure, reported IANS.
The latest escalation began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel, marking its entry into the conflict after a previous ceasefire.
In response, Israel intensified its military operations, targeting multiple locations across Lebanon.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed "deep concern" over the heavy exchange of fire and increased military activity, reported IANS.
The UN peacekeeping force warned that the escalation represents a serious deterioration in the situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Lebanon and Israel.
UNIFIL has urged all parties to recommit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and push for an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling it the only viable path to long-term stability, reported IANS.
It also raised concerns over renewed evacuation warnings issued by both sides, which are impacting civilians.
Peacekeeping forces remain deployed in southern Lebanon, continuing to monitor violations, maintain communication channels and facilitate humanitarian assistance where possible, reported IANS.
However, officials warned that continued hostilities could further aggravate the humanitarian crisis and destabilise the region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said his administration was considering "winding down" military operations in the Middle East even as the United States announced it was sending more warships and Marines to the region and Iran threatened to attack tourist sites worldwide. The mixed US messages came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.
(With inputs from IANS)
