Lebanon “is already at war”, its health minister has said, as he revealed nearly half a million people have been displaced due to Israel’s airstrikes.
In an interview with Sky News’ lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim, Dr Firass Abiad said Israel was aiming to create a “state of panic and terror” among Lebanese civilians and to “provoke a mass exodus”.
He said more than 700 people have been killed by the recent Israeli attacks and the number of displaced residents is estimated to be approaching 500,000.
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“The estimate is that we will reach easily that number,” he said.
“In the shelters now, it’s been reported that we have almost 50,000, and we know that people in shelters probably are only a very small portion because most of the people who have fled go to homes.”
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Aftermath of Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Dr Abiad added: “We’re already at war – this is not just an escalation, we are already at war.
“If Israel uses these very big and strong bombs to target civilian areas, as they have been doing, then yes, the numbers could reach catastrophic – even more catastrophic – than what we see now.”
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in the southern village of Kfar Rouman in south Lebanon. Pic: AP
On Wednesday, Israel said Hezbollah had fired a missile towards Tel Aviv for the first time.
Israeli forces have said their military operations are targeting Hezbollah weapons stores, fighters and commanders, claiming the militant group is hiding in residential areas and using Lebanese people as human shields.
Dr Abiad said there have been an “unprecedented number of casualties” in Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, with nearly 5,000 injured, including women, children and a “large number” of care workers.
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The government minister warned the Lebanese health system could become “overwhelmed” if the attacks continue.
Asked what Lebanese health facilities and hospitals need right now, he replied: “A ceasefire and that goes from Gaza to Lebanon.”
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He added the international community had a “duty” to step up pressure on Israel to “stop what it is doing” and to push for a ceasefire.