Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on April 8 marked one of the deadliest days in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, with reports indicating that around 180 people were killed and nearly 800 others injured. The strikes caused widespread destruction, reducing multiple buildings to rubble.
According to officials, Israel launched more than 100 airstrikes within approximately 10 minutes, highlighting the intensity of the assault. Imran Riza, the United Nations’ top aid official in Lebanon, confirmed the scale of the attacks during a briefing in New York.
The escalation has drawn strong condemnation from the United Nations, several countries, and human rights organizations. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, expressed concern on X, noting that the strikes came at a time when hopes for de-escalation were rising. She stressed that continued violence would not bring victory to either side and called for an immediate ceasefire, direct negotiations, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the large-scale strikes across Lebanon on April 8, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, including children, and damage to civilian infrastructure. He expressed deep alarm over the growing toll on civilians, extended condolences to the people and government of Lebanon, and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Guterres warned that continued military activity in Lebanon poses a serious threat to the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, potentially undermining efforts toward lasting peace in the region. He reiterated his call for all parties to immediately halt hostilities and emphasized that international law, including international humanitarian law, must be respected at all times, with civilians and civilian infrastructure protected.
“There is no military solution to the conflict,” he said, urging all sides to pursue diplomatic channels and recommit to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
The escalation occurred within hours of the ceasefire announcement between the United States and Iran, following weeks of intense hostilities that disrupted lives, global trade, and humanitarian efforts across the Middle East.
Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Iran, the United States, and their allies had agreed to an immediate ceasefire across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. He also invited delegations to Islamabad on April 10 for talks aimed at reaching a broader peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Health Emergency Operations Center reported a severe escalation, with simultaneous air raids across several regions. Authorities emphasized that the immediate priority is emergency medical response—rescuing those trapped under debris and ensuring the injured receive treatment based on the severity of their condition.