'We must not give Hezbollah a break': Israel vows to accelerate attacks on Lebanon after 564 killed

Israel has vowed it will not cease its attacks on Hezbollah - and strikes will only be accelerated.

Lebanon's health ministry has said Israeli airstrikes in the country since early on Monday have killed 564 people, including 50 children and 94 women.

Health minister Firass Abiad told reporters on Tuesday that 1,835 people were wounded during the same period and were taken to 54 hospitals around Lebanon.

Israel 'airdropping leaflets with dangerous barcode' - follow live

Mr Abiad added that four paramedics were among those killed, and 16 paramedics and firefighters were among the wounded.

The Israeli Defence Forces said Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi is among the dead, the man who was in charge of the group's missiles and rockets force.

The recent escalation comes on the back of pager and radio explosions targeting Hezbollah, which have largely been attributed to Israel.

Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday Hezbollah must not be given a break, and attacks on the Iran-backed group must be stepped up.

"The situation requires continued, intense action in all arenas," he added.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that message and urged Lebanese citizens to escape the grip of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"Anyone who has a missile in their living room and a rocket in their garage will not have a home," he said.

"Our war is not with you, our war is with Hezbollah. Nasrallah is leading you to the brink of the abyss... rid yourself from Nasrallah's grip, for your own good."

Israel has accused Hezbollah of hiding its weapons in homes and villages in Lebanon, allegations the Lebanese group denies.

In other major developments:
• 50 children are among the dead after Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week
• Diplomatic efforts continue in the UN general assembly amid fears of all-out war in the region
• British Defence Secretary John Healey is set to chair a COBRA meeting in light of escalating tensions
• British nationals have been advised to leave Lebanon while they still can
• The streets of southern Lebanon were gridlocked as thousands sought to flee further Israeli strikes
• Hezbollah claims to have conducted retaliatory strikes on Israel

Rockets launched at each other

Many fear the two are edging towards all-out war as this week has seen much-intensified hostilities in the region.

Rocket sirens blared in northern Israel on Tuesday as volleys of attacks were launched from Lebanon, and Israel's Iron Dome defence system was activated.

Rocket sirens blared throughout the morning in Israel's north. Video circulating on Israeli media showed explosions on a main road, with drivers pulling over and lying on the ground next to their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said that it struck more than 1,500 Hezbollah targets on Monday and Tuesday, destroying missiles, rockets and drones - including weapons stored in private homes.

The initial rounds of Israeli attacks sent thousands of families fleeing from their homes in south Lebanon, amid fears of further strikes.

Photos showed gridlocked roads heading north, in what is said to be the biggest exodus since the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.

The government has ordered schools and universities to close across the country and began preparing shelters for the displaced.

Diplomatic efforts continue

The UN general assembly is taking place in the shadow cast by escalating tensions in the Middle East and conflicts elsewhere.

Leading powers will be working to take steps away from the escalating clashes.

The US has insisted it still thinks de-escalation on Israel's northern border is possible and it can find a path to a ceasefire in Gaza as well.

However, recent days are a far cry from apparent optimism in the Biden administration last month when the president said they were "closer than we've ever been" to a ceasefire.

(c) Sky News 2024: 'We must not give Hezbollah a break': Israel vows to accelerate attacks on Lebanon after 564