Lebanon's death toll passes 3,000 in 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, health ministry says

People inspect a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

People search for victims at a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the city of Ghaziyeh, southern Lebanon, Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

People walk past a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

People inspect a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Sunday, November 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

BEIRUT – More than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon during the 13-month fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday. At least 13,492 have been injured.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both affiliated with Iran.

The conflict escalated dramatically on September 23 with heavy Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon and on the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing hundreds and displacing nearly 1.2 million people.

Israel began a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on October 1, causing widespread destruction in border villages but making little progress on the ground in Lebanon.

In Israel, 72 people have been killed by Hezbollah attacks, including 30 soldiers.