Israel-Hezbollah War: Airstrikes Kill 492 In Lebanon, Netanyahu Urges Citizens To 'Get Out Of Harm’s Way'

Intense Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 492 people, including children and women.

At least 492 people have been killed in Lebanon as Israel targets Hezbollah locations.

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At least 492 people have been killed in Lebanon in intense and wide-ranging Israeli airstrikes targetting Hezbollah in the deadliest day of conflict in the country in almost 20 years. 

Thousands of families have also fled their homes as the Israeli Defence Forces said it has hit 1,300 Hezbollah targets in an operation to destroy infrastructure that the Iran-backed group had built up since the 2006 war, reported BBC. 

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the people of Lebanon maintaining that his country is not at war with them, but with Hezbollah, as per a CNN report.  

“I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel’s war is not with you,” he said in a televised speech on Monday, adding, "It's with Hezbollah." 

Netanyahu also urged the Lebanese people to "get out of harm's way" while it targets Hezbollah positions. 

“For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage. Those rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens,” he said. 

Israel has to take those weapons out “to defend our people against Hezbollah strikes," the Israeli PM said. 

“I urge you – take this warning seriously,” Netanyahu said, “Please, get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”

In response to the Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets into northern Israel, as per the military. Two people were injured by the shrapnel, said the paramedics, BBC reported.

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry among those who were killed included 35 children and 58 women while it did not report on how many casualties were civilians or Hezbollah fighters. 

Thousands of families have also been displaced by the strikes, said Health Minister Firass Abiad. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against the escalating situation and said he did not want Lebanon to "become another Gaza." 

European Union foreign affairs chief Joseph Borrell also expressed alarm saying the "escalation is extremely dangerous and worrying", adding "we are almost in a full-fledged war".

The US was "working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely," said President Joe Biden. The Pentagon announced it was sending a "small number" of additional troops to the Middle East "out of an abundance of caution."