‘We are already at war,’ says Lebanese minister – as he warns of ‘catastrophic’ casualties from Israeli airstrikes | World News

Lebanon is “already at war,” the health minister said, adding that nearly half a million people have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes.

In an interview with Sky News main presenter world news Yalda HakimAccording to Dr. Firass Abiad, Israel wanted to create a “state of panic and terror” among Lebanese citizens and “provoke a mass exodus”.

According to him, more than 700 people have been killed in the recent Israeli attacks and the number of displaced residents is estimated at nearly 500,000.

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“We expect to easily reach that number,” he said.

“It is now reported that there are almost 50,000 people in the shelters. We know that the people in the shelters are probably a very small part, because most of the people who have fled are going home.”

Dr Abiad added: “We are already at war. This is not just an escalation, we are already at war.

“If Israel were to use these very large and powerful bombs to attack civilian areas, as they are doing now, then the numbers could indeed be catastrophic – even more catastrophic – than what we are seeing now.”

Israel reported Wednesday that Hezbollah had fired its first rocket toward Tel Aviv.

Israeli forces have stated that their military operations are targeting Hezbollah weapons caches, fighters and commanders, claiming that the militant group is hiding in residential areas and using Lebanese as human shields.

According to Dr Abiad, the Israeli attacks on Lebanon have caused “an unprecedented number of casualties”, with nearly 5,000 people injured, including women, children and a “large number” of health workers.

The minister warned that Lebanon’s health system could become “overloaded” if the attacks continue.

When asked what Lebanon’s health care and hospitals need right now, he replied: “A ceasefire, from Gaza to Lebanon.”

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He added that the international community has a “duty” to increase pressure on Israel to “stop what it is doing” and push for a ceasefire.