A picture shows the debris and destruction at the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a neighbourhood in the Lebanese city of Baalbeck in the Bekaa valley. AFP
"So far, the health ministry has recorded 558 deaths, including 50 children and 94 women," Health Minister Firass Abiad said, adding that "the vast majority, if not all of those killed in yesterday's attacks were unarmed people in their homes."
Arab states sharply condemned Israel over the sharpest escalation in nearly a year of Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.
Israel said it hit about 1,300 Hezbollah sites in southern and eastern Lebanon in 24 hours, including a "targeted strike" in Beirut. A source close to Hezbollah said the strike in the Lebanese capital targeted Ali Karake, the group's third in command.
Lebanon's Hezbollah said commander Ali Karake, who a source reported had been the target of an Israeli strike Monday on Beirut, was alive and had moved to safety.
In a statement, the Iran-backed movement said "Commander Ali Karake is well... and has moved to a safe place".
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