Israeli air strikes in the eastern Bekaa Valley of Lebanon have reportedly killed a minimum of 12 people, as confirmed by Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr. The casualties include seven Syrian nationals, including a family of five, in addition to three Lebanese individuals. The strikes primarily targeted the Wadi Faara region, while other fatalities were reported in Shmustar. This incident marks the most severe action following a ceasefire that ended a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which had included two intensive months of warfare.
The Israeli military asserted that the air strikes hit various military facilities belonging to Hezbollah, specifically targeting training camps associated with its elite Radwan Force. The group has yet to issue a formal response to the attacks, although its media outlet, Al-Manar TV, indicated that these strikes represent breaches of the ceasefire and Lebanon's national sovereignty.
Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, an IDF spokesperson, communicated on X that Tuesday's assault focused on several Hezbollah objectives, including military compounds linked to the Radwan Force where the group allegedly stored combat equipment. In previous announcements, the IDF claimed to have neutralized key commanders within the Radwan Force in September 2024, suggesting ongoing efforts to restore their operational capabilities.
Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that the air strikes aimed to deliver a "clear message" to Hezbollah and the Lebanese authorities, reaffirming Israel's readiness to employ "maximum force" against any attempts to rebuild the military capacity of Hezbollah. The ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States in November, was premised on the adherence to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which had previously concluded hostilities from 2006.
Under this resolution, Hezbollah was required to reposition its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, permitting only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to operate in that zone with arms. Although Israel was supposed to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, it continues to maintain a military presence at several strategic sites along the southern border. The resolution also reinforced prior UN calls for the disarmament of all armed factions within Lebanon.
The Israeli military asserted that the air strikes hit various military facilities belonging to Hezbollah, specifically targeting training camps associated with its elite Radwan Force. The group has yet to issue a formal response to the attacks, although its media outlet, Al-Manar TV, indicated that these strikes represent breaches of the ceasefire and Lebanon's national sovereignty.
Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, an IDF spokesperson, communicated on X that Tuesday's assault focused on several Hezbollah objectives, including military compounds linked to the Radwan Force where the group allegedly stored combat equipment. In previous announcements, the IDF claimed to have neutralized key commanders within the Radwan Force in September 2024, suggesting ongoing efforts to restore their operational capabilities.
Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that the air strikes aimed to deliver a "clear message" to Hezbollah and the Lebanese authorities, reaffirming Israel's readiness to employ "maximum force" against any attempts to rebuild the military capacity of Hezbollah. The ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States in November, was premised on the adherence to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which had previously concluded hostilities from 2006.
Under this resolution, Hezbollah was required to reposition its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, permitting only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to operate in that zone with arms. Although Israel was supposed to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, it continues to maintain a military presence at several strategic sites along the southern border. The resolution also reinforced prior UN calls for the disarmament of all armed factions within Lebanon.
