At least 12 individuals lost their lives in Israeli air strikes on Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, as reported by the local governor. The bombardment resulted in the deaths of seven Syrians, including a family of five, along with three Lebanese citizens. The Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr disclosed these details via social media, emphasizing the tragic toll of the attack that occurred in the Wadi Faara area. A second site, Shmustar, reported two additional fatalities.
The Israeli military confirmed their strikes targeted multiple facilities associated with Hezbollah, including camps linked to its elite Radwan Force. These attacks mark the deadliest occurrence since a ceasefire halted a year of conflict, including a brutal two-month war that left Hezbollah significantly diminished.
Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement regarding the assaults. However, their Al-Manar TV network described the strikes as violations of both the ceasefire and Lebanon's sovereignty. In response to the airstrikes, Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reaffirmed on social media that these operations successfully hit military compounds identified as linked with Hezbollah's radical militia.
The Radwan Force, a noted commando unit within Hezbollah, has reportedly been active in rebuilding its operations following significant losses last September, when previous Israeli air campaigns decimated its cadre. The IDF characterized Hezbollah's military operations and weapon storage in the Bekaa Valley as a blatant breach of the understanding reached between Israel and Lebanon, which poses a future threat to Israeli security.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz underscored that the recent airstrikes serve as a clear warning both to Hezbollah and the Lebanese authorities, asserting Israel's readiness to respond with overwhelming force against any potential attempts to restore Hezbollah's military strength.
The terms of the ceasefire arrangement, brokered by U.S. mediators last November, revolve around the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701. This resolution concluded the previous conflict in 2006, mandating Hezbollah's withdrawal to positions north of the Litani River, ensuring only the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers operate in the area with arms.
Despite these understandings, Israel continues to maintain military presence across five strategically important sites in southern Lebanon, raising concerns about the ongoing tensions in the region. Furthermore, the resolution reiterates previous calls from the Security Council for the disarmament of all armed groups within Lebanon, aiming to achieve long-lasting peace and stability in the area.
