BREAKING: Pope Francis Says Escalation in Lebanon ‘Unacceptable’

Vatican City: Pope Francis on Wednesday, September 25, made an impassioned appeal amid the "terrible escalation" in Lebanon, calling the volatile situation as "unacceptable," and said he'll pray for all who are suffering from war and losing hope. 

"I am saddened by the news coming out of Lebanon... but I hope that the international community will make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. This is unacceptable, I express my closeness to the Lebanese people, who have already suffered too much in the recent past," he said. 

Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Kills 558; Nearly 2,000 Wounded

In the deadliest attack by Israel, as many as 558 people including 50 kids and 94 women were killed in the airstrikes. Nearly 2,000 people have been reported to be injured.

The Israeli military said that Tuesday morning that 55 rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, causing fires and damage to buildings. Military officials stated conducting numerous airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, including one cell that fired rockets overnight, and that tanks and artillery also struck targets near the border.

Israel stated that it targeted sites where Hezbollah stored weapons. It estimates Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and missiles, including guided missiles and long-range projectiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.

Amid escalating tension for the past 11 months, bringing both sides to the brink of war once again. Hezbollah has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel in support of the Palestinians and its ally Hamas, another Iran-backed militant group in Gaza.

Hezbollah Fires Missile on Mossad HQ in Retaliation

In retaliation to the massive airstrikes by Israel, Hezbollah launched a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv early Wednesday.

The Israeli military said it intercepted the surface-to-surface missile, which set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and across central Israel, and there were no reports of casualties or damage.

The military said it struck the site in southern Lebanon from which the projectile was launched.

(Inputs from AP)

(This is a breaking copy, more details are to be added)