Lebanon death toll tops 1,100 as Israeli strikes continue

2026-03-26 - 19:50

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed at least 22 people on Thursday, pushing the total death toll to 1,116 since the latest round of hostilities began on March 2, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The ministry also reported 110 new injuries, bringing the overall wounded to 3,229. Among the casualties, 83 women and 121 children have lost their lives, while 454 women and 399 children are among the injured. Civilian toll mounts The strikes are part of an intensified Israeli military campaign that has included both aerial bombardment and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon. The escalation followed cross-border operations by Hezbollah earlier this month, but the violence has increasingly exacted a heavy price on Lebanese civilians. Medical facilities and emergency responders continue to struggle with the influx of wounded amid the ongoing bombardment. Regional escalation deepens The conflict in Lebanon is unfolding against the backdrop of a broader war that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. That campaign has claimed over 1,340 lives in Iran, including its then‐supreme leader. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, US military installations, and Gulf states, further destabilizing the region. Türkiye’s call for protection of civilians Ankara has repeatedly condemned the escalating violence and called for an immediate halt to attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and non‐combatants. Turkish officials have stressed that the protection of civilians must remain paramount under international humanitarian law. As the conflict widens, Türkiye continues to advocate for diplomatic engagement and has offered its facilitation to help de‐escalate the crisis, warning that further bloodshed will only deepen the suffering of innocent people across the region.