Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 492 people and injured 1,645, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, marking the highest daily death toll in Lebanon since the 1975-90 civil war. The attacks, aimed at alleged Hezbollah targets, triggered the flight of tens of thousands of residents from southern Lebanon towards Beirut. Among the dead were 35 children and 58 women. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military was shifting the “security balance” along its northern border. In response, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, as tensions between the two nations escalated. U.S. President Joe Biden said efforts were underway to de-escalate the situation .