Israel claims attacks on densely populated residential areas that killed more than 200 people were aimed at Hezbollah
Middle East crisis – live updates
What was the point of Israel’s surprise mass strikes on Lebanon that killed more than 200 people and drew widespread international condemnation?
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have claimed the largest strike against Hezbollah during the month-long war against Iran was carefully aimed at members of the armed group, but the attacks appeared to be as much a piece of violent spectacle to benefit Netanyahu as militarily useful.
Others have speculated that the attack – without warning and initially hitting more than 100 targets in 10 minutes including in densely populated residential areas in central Beirut – was aimed at undermining the US-Iran ceasefire that many see as being imposed on an unhappy Netanyahu.
