The UN has strongly condemned Israeli air strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday that caused significant casualties and destruction.

"The UN strongly condemns the loss of civilian lives," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.

According to Imran Riza, top UN aid official in Lebanon, Israeli forces carried out more than 100 air strikes in roughly 10 minutes. At least 1,530 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the recent escalation on March 2, he told reporters at the UN headquarters via video link.