Israeli air strikes have killed at least 12 people, including five Hezbollah fighters, in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media reports. The strikes targeted areas in the Bekaa Valley, including a Syrian refugee camp, and wounded eight others. Israel said the airstrikes were a warning to Hezbollah against trying to re-establish itself.
The Israeli military stated that its air strikes targeted training camps used by elite Hezbollah fighters and warehouses the group used to store weapons. This move is part of Israel’s efforts to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes sent a “clear message” to Hezbollah, accusing it of planning to rebuild the capability to raid Israel through the elite Radwan force. “Israel will respond with maximum force to any attempt at rebuilding,” he added.
The strikes were the deadliest on the area since a US-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel last November. However, Israel has repeatedly violated the truce, carrying out near-daily strikes across parts of Lebanon. Bachir Khodr, governor of the Bekaa region, said seven of the dead were Syrian nationals.
Under the November ceasefire deal, Hezbollah was supposed to pull its fighters back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. However, Israel has kept its troops in five strategic locations in Lebanon. The US has submitted a proposal to the Lebanese government aimed at securing Hezbollah’s disarmament within four months in exchange for Israel halting air strikes and withdrawing troops from the positions they still hold in south Lebanon.
There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government to the latest Israeli strikes. However, the Lebanese government has previously expressed frustration with Israel’s actions, and President Joseph Aoun has stated that Lebanon seeks peace with Israel but is not ready to normalize ties.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant displacement and humanitarian concerns. The International Organization for Migration estimated that over 200,000 people have been displaced by the conflict in Lebanon, including over 100,000 who were displaced before this week’s escalation.