At Least 40 Killed, 246 Wounded in Lebanon Amid Escalating Israel-US Attacks on Iran

At Least 40 Killed, 246 Wounded in Lebanon Amid Escalating Israel-US Attacks on Iran

Beirut – At least 40 people have been killed and 246 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon on Monday and Tuesday, a spokesperson for Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed Tuesday. The ministry clarified that a previously reported death toll of 52 on Monday was a technical error.

The attacks come amid the widening Israel-US military campaign against Iran, which has already destabilized the region and raised fears of further escalation.

Hezbollah, Lebanon’s armed group and political movement, said it shot down an Israeli drone over Nabatieh in southern Lebanon earlier Tuesday. The group described the action as a response to Israeli strikes targeting dozens of Lebanese cities and towns.

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, emphasized that Tehran will continue its defensive operations against the U.S. and Israel “until the point this aggression is stopped.” Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Bahreini added that bases in neighboring countries used to launch attacks on Iran or other nations are considered “legitimate targets.”

The regional impact of the conflict is already being felt beyond the battlefield. Tourism Economics released data Tuesday projecting that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could reduce international arrivals to the Middle East by 11 to 27 percent in 2026. This marks a sharp reversal from December forecasts, which anticipated a 13 percent increase in visitors.

If the higher-end estimate materializes, the region could see a loss of 23 million to 38 million international visitors compared with earlier expectations. The financial impact is projected at $34 billion to $56 billion in lost tourism revenue, a potential blow to an industry that accounts for a significant portion of the Middle East’s economy.

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The mounting casualties in Lebanon, combined with Iran’s warnings and the potential economic fallout, underscore the growing consequences of the conflict. As Israeli and U.S. operations continue, regional actors remain on high alert, and experts warn that further escalation could have far-reaching humanitarian and economic repercussions.