The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its third day, escalating further overnight as clashes spread to Lebanon. The situation in the region remains extremely tense, with numerous casualties and successive attacks reported on several fronts.
Israel and the militant group Hezbollah exchanged fire, with explosions reported south of the capital Beirut. Israeli authorities ordered the evacuation of residents of more than 50 towns and villages in Lebanon, warning of imminent attacks on targets they consider Hezbollah bases.
US President Donald Trump declared in a video message that “combat operations” against Iran will continue “until all of our objectives are achieved,” also warning of the possibility of more American casualties. US Central Command confirmed that three American service members were killed and five others were seriously injured as a result of an Iranian attack.
In Israel, Iranian missiles hit the town of Beit Shemesh, killing at least nine people, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service. It was the deadliest attack on Israel since the start of the current conflict. In the early hours of Monday, Israel launched airstrikes on what it said were Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after the group fired rockets into Israeli territory. Meanwhile, Iranian officials reported that at least 153 people were killed in an attack on a girls’ school. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act.”
Tensions have spread to other countries in the region. The United Arab Emirates said three people had been killed since Saturday in retaliatory attacks by Iran. Explosions were also reported in Bahrain, the Iraqi city of Erbil and Jordan.
Meanwhile, the escalation of the conflict has immediately impacted global markets, with oil prices rising significantly as Asian markets opened on Monday morning, adding to fears of wider economic consequences internationally.
