Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 60 people were killed in Israeli raids on several areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley, most of them in the Baalbek region.

The ministry said the tolls covered 12 areas in the Bekaa Valley where militant group Hezbollah holds sway. At least two children were among the dead, it said. At least 58 others were wounded, the health ministry added, noting that the toll was preliminary as rescue efforts were still under way.

Of the 60 killed, at least 16 deaths were recorded in Al-Alaq, west of Baalbek city, according to the health ministry.

The deaths raise the overall toll to more than 1,700 killed in Lebanon since the Israel-Hezbollah war erupted late last month, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

The real number is likely to be higher due to gaps in the data.

The heavy strikes there yesterday were not preceded by an evacuation warning.