Lebanese Health Minister: Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon kill 394 since March 2, including 83 children

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 394, including 83 children and 42 women, while 1,130 others have been wounded, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine said Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference, Nasreddine said the wounded include 254 children and 274 women, adding that many of the strikes have hit residential neighborhoods and civilian facilities.

He said several deadly incidents were recorded in the past 48 hours in southern and eastern Lebanon. In one strike in the Bekaa Valley, six members of the same family – four children and their parents – were killed, while other attacks in towns and villages left multiple casualties.

Nasreddine also said that emergency and medical teams have been directly targeted while carrying out rescue operations.

According to the Health Ministry, nine health workers have been killed and 16 others wounded, including paramedics from the Lebanese Red Cross, civil defense teams and other emergency responders.

He added that five hospitals have been partially damaged by the strikes, while several medical facilities have been forced to suspend operations due to security threats.

The escalation follows rocket fire toward Israel launched from Lebanon early Monday by Hezbollah, the group's first such attack since a ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024.

Israel has since launched what it called an "offensive military campaign" against Hezbollah, combining heavy airstrikes with ground incursions along the border and evacuation warnings for areas south of the Litani River and Beirut's southern suburbs.