{"id":35165,"date":"2026-04-09T00:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T21:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=35165"},"modified":"2026-04-08T22:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T19:43:15","slug":"more-than-250-people-killed-in-large-scale-israeli-bombing-in-lebanon-despite-us-iran-ceasefire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/more-than-250-people-killed-in-large-scale-israeli-bombing-in-lebanon-despite-us-iran-ceasefire\/","title":{"rendered":"More than 250 people killed in large-scale Israeli bombing in Lebanon despite US-Iran ceasefire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

7 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has failed to halt violence across the broader region, as Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes across Lebanon, killing at least 254 people and injuring hundreds in one of the deadliest attacks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strikes, which hit multiple targets across the country, came just hours after the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was announced, highlighting the limited scope of the agreement and raising fears of a wider regional spillover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Israeli Defense Force, the Israeli military hit around 100 targets, including Hezbollah command centers and other military infrastructure in Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airstrikes were conducted by 50 fighter jets as Israel dropped about 160 bombs within 10 minutes, according to the Israeli military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials confirmed that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire does not extend to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The exclusion has become a central point of contention, particularly after mediation efforts suggested a broader framework might be possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statements from leadership made clear that the situation in Lebanon is being treated separately, with the ongoing fighting described as an independent conflict driven by Hezbollah\u2019s role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This position directly contradicts claims from mediators who had indicated that Lebanon could be included in a wider de-escalation effort. The lack of alignment has contributed to confusion and uncertainty, particularly as violence intensified almost immediately after the ceasefire announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Rescuers<\/a>
Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 8, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Mohamed Azakir)<\/sup><\/em>

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Lebanon Not in Ceasefire Deal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Lebanon is not part of the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, directly contradicting claims by Pakistan, which mediated the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump described the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah as a \u201cseparate skirmish,\u201d indicating that it falls outside the scope of the truce. \u201cBecause of Hezbollah, they were not included in the deal,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cThat\u2019ll get taken care of, too. It\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The position was later reinforced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed that \u201cLebanon is not part of the ceasefire that has been relayed to all parties involved,\u201d while noting that the issue could be discussed further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These statements stand in contrast to remarks by Shehbaz Sharif, who had earlier announced that the ceasefire would apply \u201ceverywhere, including Lebanon.\u201d Reports also suggested that Iran had pushed for Lebanon\u2019s inclusion in the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disagreement has added uncertainty to an already fragile truce, raising concerns that the exclusion of Lebanon could undermine broader regional stability. Iranian officials have issued warnings in response to continued Israeli strikes, with statements indicating that further attacks on Lebanon could trigger retaliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The situation escalated shortly after Trump\u2019s remarks, as Israel carried out one of its most intense bombardments of Lebanon, targeting densely populated civilian areas and causing significant casualties. The developments highlight the deep divisions among key actors and the challenges of implementing a comprehensive ceasefire across multiple conflict fronts.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
A damaged building at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 8, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Mohamed Azakir)<\/sup><\/em>

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Largest Wave of Strikes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel\u2019s military described the operation as the largest coordinated strike since the conflict escalated in March. More than 100 targets were hit within minutes, including what Israel said were Hezbollah command centers, missile launchers, and intelligence infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air strikes targeted central Beirut, the southern suburbs of the capital, southern Lebanon, and the eastern Bekaa Valley, areas where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence but which are also heavily populated by civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strikes reportedly occurred without warning in some areas, hitting dense residential and commercial districts and causing widespread destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hospitals across the country were quickly overwhelmed as casualties surged. Emergency responders reported that many people remained trapped under rubble as rescue operations continued under difficult conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lebanon\u2019s health ministry said that at least 254 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in the latest wave of strikes, marking a sharp increase in casualties in a conflict that has already devastated the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the war began, more than 1,500 people have been killed, including over 130 children. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 1.2 million people, nearly one-fifth of the population, have been displaced. Entire villages near the southern border have been destroyed, while urban areas have suffered extensive damage.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"An<\/a>
An explosion in Beirut’s southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Lebanon, on March 6, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Khalil Ashawi)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Displaced families have taken shelter in schools, public buildings, and makeshift camps, with many forced to sleep in cars or temporary tents. The influx of displaced people into other communities has increased pressure on resources and raised concerns about growing sectarian tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Hezbollah Response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hezbollah has not claimed any new attacks since the ceasefire announcement but has maintained a defiant stance. The group said it was on the \u201cthreshold of a major historic victory\u201d and warned displaced civilians not to return home until a formal ceasefire in Lebanon is reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite continued military activity, Hezbollah is facing criticism within Lebanon. Many accuse the group of dragging the country into a broader regional conflict tied to its alliance with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Hezbollah retains significant support among segments of the population, particularly within Shia communities in the south and the Bekaa Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lebanon\u2019s government has continued to call for inclusion in broader peace efforts. The presidency said it would pursue \u201cefforts to include Lebanon in regional peace,\u201d even as violence escalated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a significant shift, Lebanese authorities also signaled openness to direct negotiations with Israel, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. So far, there has been no response to this proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Efforts to address Hezbollah\u2019s weapons remain stalled. Previous plans to disarm the group have made little progress, with officials warning that using force could trigger internal conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mojtaba<\/a>
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visits Hezbollah’s office in Tehran, Iran, on October 1, 2024. (Image Credit: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader\/WANA)<\/sup><\/em>

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Risk of Escalation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The escalation in Lebanon is already affecting the wider region. Iran has warned that attacks on Lebanon would be viewed as aggression against itself, raising concerns about further confrontation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a move that added to global uncertainty, Iran reportedly halted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. The disruption threatens to undermine one of the core elements of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which aimed to stabilize oil and gas flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The renewed violence has also put the ceasefire itself at risk, with officials describing the agreement as fragile amid continued military activity in Lebanon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A Limited Ceasefire in a Wider War<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest developments underscore the limitation of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which has reduced direct confrontation between the two countries but failed to address other active fronts in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel\u2019s continued campaign in Lebanon, combined with rising humanitarian and political pressures, suggests that the broader conflict remains far from contained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation highlights a key challenge: without a comprehensive agreement that includes all parties and conflict zones, any ceasefire is likely to provide only temporary relief rather than a lasting solution.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/a>
The Strait of Hormuz in the background with U.S. President Trump, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and the U.S. and Iranian flags. (Image Credit: NASA\/GDFC\/Reuters\/Evelyn Hockstein\/Tasnim News Agency\/Wikimedia Commons\/via IRIA)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has failed to halt violence across the broader region, as Israel launched a massive wave of air strikes across Lebanon, killing at least 254 people and injuring hundreds in one of the deadliest attacks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35168,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[44,1],"tags":[16,214,75,793,844,60,26,32,356,5,7,128],"class_list":["post-35165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-middle-east","category-news","tag-airstrike","tag-bombing","tag-conflict","tag-genocide","tag-hezbollah","tag-humanitarian-crisis","tag-israel","tag-lebanon","tag-middle-east","tag-military","tag-u-s","tag-war"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Israeli-bombing-in-Lebanon.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-99b","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35165"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35171,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35165\/revisions\/35171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}