THE death toll from Israeli air strikes late on Monday that destroyed several buildings near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut rose to 18 today.

Rescue efforts were ongoing as the Morning Star went to print and air strikes continued to target Beirut and other regions in Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Tel Aviv, where he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli strike on Monday hit an impoverished and densely populated residential area opposite the hospital.

Israel claimed the attack targeted a Hezbollah facility and officials stated that the hospital itself was not the intended target.

The military had issued warnings to evacuate several locations in southern Beirut about 15 minutes before the strike, but the area around the hospital was not included in the alert.

Staff at Sahel General Hospital today expressed fears of being targeted after Israel alleged that Hezbollah had stored hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold in its basement, though no evidence was provided.

Hospital director Mazen Alame invited journalists to inspect the facility, which revealed no signs of militants or unusual activity.

“We have been living in terror for the last 24 hours,” he said.

The Lebanese public health ministry reported that 63 people were killed and 234 injured in various attacks across the country, bringing Lebanon’s total death toll to approximately 2,546 since the onset of the conflict.

Hezbollah also launched a barrage of rockets into central Israel today, activating air raid sirens but resulting in no significant damage.

During the meeting, Mr Blinken emphasised the need to “capitalise on Israel’s successful action” that killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by fostering a resolution to the conflict in Gaza, a spokesman said.

He discussed the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza and addressed what he called the regional threat posed by Iran.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli air strikes continued to take a heavy toll.

At least 27 people were killed in three separate attacks, including a deadly drone strike in Beit Lahia.

Palestinians had begun fleeing Beit Lahia today following Israeli evacuation orders.

Northern Gaza has been under continuous Israeli bombardment in recent weeks, with evacuation orders a regular occurrence.

Since October 7, more than 42,718 people have been killed in Gaza, with rescue teams still struggling to reach those trapped under the rubble.

The densely populated Jabalia refugee camp area has been besieged by Israeli forces for weeks, with shelling and evacuation orders a regular occurrence.

Engy, a resident, told the BBC: “No-one knew where to go. It is tragic and catastrophic in every sense.

“Some people had to flee without their children, leaving them behind in school while they escaped with others.”

The Lebanese Red Cross said its medical officers were bombed while carrying out a rescue operation in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon.

In a post on X, the organisation said it was attempting to “search for the injured in order to treat and rescue them” following a “raid” on Nabatieh earlier this afternoon.