The guns were supposed to have fallen silent. It was, after all, just hours after US President Donald Trump had announced that a two-week ceasefire had been agreed to halt the war in the Middle East. But just as the region was breathing a sigh of relief, Israeli jets conducted a 10-minute blitz across Lebanon - a massive aerial attack that killed at least 203 people and wounded more than 1,000 others, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
Local and Western condemnation was swift and widespread, but no criticism came from the US against its ally in this war. Iran said this was 'a grave violation' of the ceasefire deal and has asked the US to halt the Israeli 'aggression'. Lebanese officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed since Israel launched its latest campaign in Lebanon last month. Israel has said its operations are aimed at weakening Hezbollah and achieving what it calls remaining military objectives.
The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February - prompting retaliation from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf, and from Iran's proxies - Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen - against Israel. In response, Israel began striking Hezbollah and even ordered its troops to occupy large parts of Lebanon. The two-week pause in the fighting was announced by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif - serving as mediator between the warring parties. Sharif stated the US and its allies 'have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere'.
However, the ceasefire seems not to extend to Lebanon, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Lebanon was excluded due to Hezbollah's actions, a sentiment echoed by Trump who described the situation as 'a separate skirmish'.
On a crisp morning in Beirut, a day of national mourning was observed as search and recovery operations were still underway amidst the rubble of a residential area devastated by airstrikes, demonstrating the heavy toll of the conflict on civilians. Officials continue to assess the situation as both sides brace for potential escalations.
Local and Western condemnation was swift and widespread, but no criticism came from the US against its ally in this war. Iran said this was 'a grave violation' of the ceasefire deal and has asked the US to halt the Israeli 'aggression'. Lebanese officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed since Israel launched its latest campaign in Lebanon last month. Israel has said its operations are aimed at weakening Hezbollah and achieving what it calls remaining military objectives.
The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February - prompting retaliation from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf, and from Iran's proxies - Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen - against Israel. In response, Israel began striking Hezbollah and even ordered its troops to occupy large parts of Lebanon. The two-week pause in the fighting was announced by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif - serving as mediator between the warring parties. Sharif stated the US and its allies 'have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere'.
However, the ceasefire seems not to extend to Lebanon, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Lebanon was excluded due to Hezbollah's actions, a sentiment echoed by Trump who described the situation as 'a separate skirmish'.
On a crisp morning in Beirut, a day of national mourning was observed as search and recovery operations were still underway amidst the rubble of a residential area devastated by airstrikes, demonstrating the heavy toll of the conflict on civilians. Officials continue to assess the situation as both sides brace for potential escalations.
