Israel increased its airstrikes over Lebanon, killing 51 people and injuring 223, Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad said. This development marks an intensification in the already-hot battle conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia, as the two exchanged heavy fire.

The conflict took an intense turn when Hezbollah launched a ballistic missile at what it claimed to be the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency near Tel Aviv. The attack, which targeted the site with a Qader 1 missile, is the first known instance Hezbollah has used a long-range rocket in the conflict. Hezbollah said in a statement the attack was a response to operations by Israel targeting its members following an attack last week that killed 39 of its fighters.

Hezbollah described the missile attack as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people and to defend Lebanon. Israeli officials said the rocket was also intercepted mid-air, but information concerning damages or casualties did not come forth.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces widened their airstrikes across various cities in Lebanon, for the first time pounding towns untouched before, including the resort town of Jiyyeh near Beirut and some southern villages. The escalation triggered wide-scale displacement: The United Nations estimated that 90,000 people have fled from their homes in Lebanon since Monday.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated amid rising tensions that have been building since a war broke out between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza earlier this month. Hezbollah, having close longstanding ties with Hamas, has been involved in near-daily exchanges of fire with Israel along its northern border, further complicating an already volatile regional situation.

Israeli authorities say that Hezbollah launched some 300 rockets into northern Israel on Wednesday, some intercepted, others landing in open or populated areas, drawing a fierce response from Israel’s military. The northern Galilee region has been badly hit, leaving tens of thousands of Israelis to flee.

The international reaction to the perpetuating acts of violence has been one of concern. The White House expressed deep concern over the missile attack on the headquarters of the Mossad but reiterated hope for a diplomatic resolution. Human Rights Watch also warned that Israeli strikes in Lebanon are imperiling civilian lives, and an international investigation is what is needed.

While tensions increase, foreign governments advise their citizens to leave Lebanon. The Foreign Office of Pakistan issued a travel advisory, recommending Pakistani nationals exit the country on available commercial flights. Pakistani nationals have been asked to contact the Pakistani embassy in Beirut.

The hostilities do not seem to have a speedy end, as neither Israel nor Hezbollah appears willing to give up. The continuation will push the region further into chaos.