BEIRUT / JERUSALEM / NEW YORK - The death toll in Israeli airstrikes on Monday on southern and eastern Lebanon rose to 182, and 727 others were injured, according to a statement by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The ministry added that the casualties include women, children, and paramedics.

Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out more than 300 air raids on large areas in eastern and southern Lebanon, targeting around 60 towns in southern and eastern Lebanon.

READ MORE: Hezbollah fires over 110 rockets into Israel

"The Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense vehicles are working to transport the injured to hospitals across southern and eastern Lebanon," the sources said.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement, "In response to the enemy's attacks that targeted areas in the south and the Bekaa Valley, the Islamic Resistance fighters bombed the reserve headquarters of the Israeli army's northern corps, Galilee Division Reserve Base, and its stores of logistics at Ami'ad Base as well as Rafael's military-industrial complexes in Zevulun area, north of Haifa with dozens of missiles."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned that Lebanon could be transformed into another Gaza amid escalating attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.

In an interview with US news outlet CNN, Guterres said that the recent detonation of communication devices in Lebanon means there is a "potential for a much stronger escalation", which he fears could be a "devastating tragedy for the world".

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"With the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is no military solution that will make either side safer," said UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis via social media platform X on Sunday.

Tension along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated sharply following communication device explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday that killed 37 people and injured nearly 3,000. 

Israel also launched an airstrike in Beirut on Friday that killed at least 45 people, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.

READ MORE: Israeli strikes on Beirut kill 14 including top Hezbollah commander

The Israeli army and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct 8, 2023, raising fears that the nearly one-year-long confrontations could escalate into a full-scale war.