Israeli Strikes Kill 36 in Lebanon as Netanyahu Threatens To Turn the Country Into Gaza

The Israeli president said Lebanon would face similar destruction if its people didn't 'free' the country from Hezbollah

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least 36 people and wounding 150, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to destroy the country like he has Gaza.

In a video he posted on social media, Netanyahu said he was addressing the people of Lebanon and told them to “save” the country of Lebanon or face the “destruction and suffering” that’s been inflicted on Gaza.

“You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “I say to you, the people of Lebanon: free your country from Hezbollah so this war can end.”

A view shows a damaged site in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon, October 8, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmad Al-Kerdi

Israeli strikes were reported across Lebanon on Tuesday, including in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburb that has been heavily targeted. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 2,119 people in the country and injured 10,019 since October 2023, with the majority of the casualties inflicted since Israel escalated in mid-September.

Also on Tuesday, Israel sent a fourth division of ground troops into southern Lebanon, where its forces have faced stiff resistance from Hezbollah. According to Middle East Eye, based on recent mobilizations, there may be 15,000 Israeli troops inside Lebanon.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.