The Lebanese health ministry has recorded close to 9,000 deaths resulting from Israeli military operations in Lebanon since the start of 2023, Al Jazeera reported. The tally includes both combatants and civilians, reflecting a sustained period of cross‑border hostilities that have intensified following the escalation of the Gaza conflict.
The majority of casualties have occurred in the southern governorates, where Israeli air and artillery strikes have targeted what Israel describes as Hezbollah positions and associated infrastructure. Lebanese officials say that the attacks have also damaged residential areas, schools, and medical facilities, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis.
International organisations, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the rising death toll and the impact on civilian populations. UN representatives have called for restraint from all parties and urged the protection of non‑combatants under international humanitarian law.
Lebanese authorities have appealed for increased humanitarian assistance and for the international community to intervene to prevent further loss of life. The government has also warned that the continued use of force could destabilise the already fragile security situation along the Israel‑Lebanon border.
Israel maintains that its operations are aimed at degrading the capabilities of Hezbollah and preventing the launch of rockets into Israeli territory. The Israeli defence establishment has not provided a separate casualty figure for its own forces, focusing instead on the stated objective of neutralising militant infrastructure.
The conflict has resulted in significant displacement, with thousands of residents fleeing affected areas to seek shelter in safer parts of the country. Humanitarian agencies report that the influx of internally displaced persons is straining local resources and complicating relief efforts.
The near‑9,000 death count underscores the protracted nature of the hostilities and highlights the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to halt the cycle of violence and address the humanitarian fallout.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/6/nearly-9000-killed-in-israeli-attacks-on-lebanon-since-2023?traffic_source=rss.