Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes

New Delhi ( The Indian View team) :

Dozens of people were killed in an intensive wave of Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to step up military action against Hezbollah.

At least 31 people were killed in the latest attacks, including several children, Lebanon's health ministry said. The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters in what was one of the heaviest nights of bombardment since a US-brokered ceasefire began in mid-April.

It came after Netanyahu this week said he had given instructions to "press the pedal even harder" in targeting Hezbollah. Early on Wednesday, sirens sounded in northern Israel early on after a projectile was launched from Lebanon into Israel, the Israeli military said in a statement.

Israeli air and artillery strikes have continued daily, especially in the south of Lebanon, while Hezbollah has been launching rockets and drones at communities in northern Israel and Israeli troops occupying parts of southern Lebanon.

Air strikes targeted the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara and Burj al-Shamali across southern Lebanon, local media said.

Some strikes hit near Beaufort Castle, state media reported, a nearly 900-year-old fortress recognised by the UN's heritage body UNESCO for being "one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles" in the region.