More than 300 killed in recent Israeli strikes against Lebanon -- health ministry

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, with 1,150 injured, according to a preliminary toll released Thursday by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

In a statement, the ministry's Emergency Operations Center said that search and rescue operations are still underway in multiple locations, with authorities working to retrieve bodies from under the rubble and identify victims, including through DNA testing.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 1,888 dead and 6,092 injured, the ministry added.

The latest escalation followed more than 100 Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, causing widespread casualties and destruction.

Cross-border violence continues amid ongoing exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border. ■

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Zrariyeh, southern Lebanon. The death toll from Israel's Wednesday attacks across Lebanon has risen to 303, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)