TEHRAN - The death toll from Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon has risen to 497, including 35 children and 58 women, the country's health minister said during a press conference.

Dr. Firass Abiad added that another 1,645 have been wounded.

Lebanese media is reporting that Israeli strikes have targeted more villages in the Beqaa Valley, including in Nabi Chit and Saraaine.

Iran's foreign ministry has warned that Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon will have "dangerous consequences."

Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denounced the attacks as "insane", adding that "the Zionist's new adventure" would have "dangerous consequences".

Israeli air strikes continue to rain down on Lebanon

It is now early into Tuesday morning in Lebanon, and Israel's military is continuing to launch new air strikes across different parts of the country.

Lebanon's state-run news outlet, the National News Agency, reported Israeli strikes in Jabal al-Rayhan, Mayfadoun, Zoutar, Tambourit, and several other areas.

The death toll currently stands at 492 killed, however, this could rise significantly as the Israeli bombings continue.

"Deeply alarmed"

UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said she is “deeply alarmed” by the ongoing surge of deadly attacks in Lebanon and Israel, saying the intensifying violence represents a “dangerous escalation” for civilians.

“Countless” children are in danger, with many displaced from their homes, Russell said in a statement.

The Belgian foreign minister says, “Alarming levels of psychological distress” have also been reported among children due to displacement and from the barrage of shelling and air raids, she said, calling for an immediate de-escalation.

Hadja Lahbib has added Belgium’s voice to the growing number of countries urging calm in Lebanon.

She said civilians, including women and children, “are once again being affected” and urged de-escalation, adding “diplomacy” is the only way to end the conflict.

Iran's president warns of 'irreversible consequences'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told a group of reporters that Israel is seeking to create an all-out war in the Middle East, adding that Tehran does "not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible".

"We want to live in peace. We don't want war," he told reporters after his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. "It is Israel that seeks to create this all-out conflict."

Pezeshkian also said that Iran will "defend any group that is defending its rights and itself".

Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel's recent escalation with equal force but has stressed it is only continuing its most recent conflict with Israel until a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is achieved in Gaza.

Lebanese security sources have warned that the Israeli military escalation is likely to intensify over the coming days, but as of now they are not predicting Israel will launch a ground invasion.

“Israel knows that if it infiltrates Lebanon, the Lebanese army and Hezbollah will have military superiority on the ground,” one source told Middle East Eye.

“If the Israeli army carries out a ground invasion, the Lebanese army will participate with Hezbollah in confronting and defending.”