ISRAELI air strikes on Lebanon today killed at least 274 and injured more than 1,000, it has been reported. 

This was the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israeli war with Hezbollah and increases fears of a wider, all-out war across the Middle East.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, causing traffic jams on the main highway out of the port city Sidon toward Beirut, after Israel warned civilians to leave the area.