Lebanon's health ministry says at least 826 people have been killed since the attacks on the country began on March 2. Of those, 106 are children, according to the agency, which also reports that 31 health workers are among the dead. The number of injured exceeds 2,000.
Israeli attacks continued on Saturday against targets mainly in southern and eastern Lebanon. High-ranking but unnamed sources told the American media company Axios that Israel plans to expand ground operations in Lebanon.
“Diplomatic paths”
The goal is reportedly to take over the entire area south of the Litani River and eliminate the military infrastructure of the Shiite militia Hezbollah, the sources say. The operation would be the largest Israeli offensive since 2006.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues his visit to the war-torn country, and he emphasized that "diplomatic paths" still exist to reach a solution to the conflict.
"We are doing everything we can to achieve an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities," Guterres told reporters in Beirut, referring to both existing resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the UN Charter.
Macron invites
On Friday, the UN chief appealed for international financial support, initially estimated at around three billion kronor in emergency aid, to help, among other things, the approximately 800,000 Lebanese who have fled their homes.
French President Macron, who has close contacts with leaders within Lebanon's government, says that government is ready to begin "direct talks" with Israel.
“France is ready to facilitate these talks by holding them in Paris,” Macron wrote on X.
