Israel expands Lebanon strikes, killing 11

On March 4, 2026, an Israeli air strike targeted a hotel in Hazmieh, a predominantly Christian area in Beirut’s suburbs, marking the first reported Israeli attack in that region. This strike is part of a broader military campaign by Israel against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement. According to reports, the death toll in Lebanon has surpassed 300 since fighting began on February 28, 2026, with 12 additional fatalities reported from strikes on Sunday morning alone (France24). The Lebanese health ministry has confirmed that Israeli strikes have killed 72 people since Monday, with over 83,000 individuals displaced as a result of the ongoing violence. The ministry also reported that 437 people have been wounded in the attacks. The escalation of hostilities follows retaliatory actions by Hezbollah in response to the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (Middle East Eye). Israel has issued large-scale evacuation orders for southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut amid the conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimate that more than 300,000 Lebanese civilians have evacuated their villages in southern Lebanon due to the heavy bombardment (The Hindu, France24). The humanitarian situation is dire, with the UN refugee agency declaring a major humanitarian emergency in West Asia, and the number of displaced civilians potentially being much higher than reported (The Hindu).