Lebanon declared a national day of mourning Thursday after Israeli strikes killed 254 people and injured 1,165 others on Wednesday, marking the deadliest single-day escalation since March. The attacks targeted densely populated Beirut neighborhoods just hours after a US-Iran brokered ceasefire took effect, sparking international outrage.
Diplomatic Fallout: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam vowed to mobilize Arab and global support to halt the violence, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of a "regret-inducing response" if attacks continue. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the ceasefire must include Lebanon, calling the strikes "a direct threat to regional stability."
Humanitarian Crisis: UN officials reported at least 1,530 Lebanese deaths since March 2, including 130 children. Deputy Special Coordinator Imran Riza described the situation as "a huge civilian tragedy," with infrastructure damage complicating rescue efforts.
Ceasefire Dispute: Israel claims the US-Iran agreement doesn't cover Lebanon, despite Pakistani mediators confirming its applicability. Iraqi government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi accused Israel of deliberately undermining the truce through "aggressive military adventurism."
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the "horrific" civilian toll, urging all parties to use diplomatic channels. With global pressure mounting, the viability of the fragile ceasefire remains uncertain as humanitarian organizations race to address critical needs.
