Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 people in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials.

 

Overview

• Israeli air strikes killed at least 10 people in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials.

• Strikes occurred despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

• The attacks took place in the Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold.

🎯 Israeli Position

• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said:

  • Targets were Hezbollah command centres.

  • Hezbollah embeds military assets within civilian areas.

  • The group was accelerating force build-up and planning missile attacks on Israel.

• In a separate statement, the IDF said:

  • Several members of Hezbollah’s missile array were killed.

  • Targets were located in three different command centres.

🟡 Hezbollah Response

• Hezbollah confirmed:

  • At least eight members were killed.

  • Those killed included a senior field commander.

• Hezbollah argues:

  • The ceasefire applies only to southern Lebanon.

  • Specifically, the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line (unofficial Israel–Lebanon border).

⚠ Casualties & Damage

• At least 10 fatalities reported overall.

• Images showed:

  • Heavy destruction in a residential neighbourhood in the Bekaa Valley.

• Earlier the same day:

  • An Israeli strike hit Ain al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon.

  • The IDF said it targeted a Hamas command centre.

  • Hamas said two of its members were killed.

🕊 Ceasefire Context

• The ceasefire ended a 13-month war in November 2024.

• Despite the agreement:

  • Israel has carried out near-daily strikes on Lebanese territory.

• Israel says strikes target Hezbollah-linked sites.

• Lebanon’s government says Israel is violating the ceasefire.

🔄 Disarmament Dispute

• Lebanese army has:

  • Begun dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

  • This is part of the first stage of a broader disarmament plan.

• Hezbollah has:

  • Rejected discussions about disarming in other areas, including the Bekaa Valley.

  • Opposed advancing the second phase of disarmament north of the Litani River toward the Awali River near Sidon.

🏛 Lebanese Government Position

• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the situation as:

  • A “one-sided war of attrition.”

• Lebanon has urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt its strikes.

🌍 Regional Context

• Hezbollah is:

  • A Shia Muslim militia and political party.

  • Supported by Iran.

  • Designated a terrorist organisation by countries including the UK and US.

• Tensions are rising amid:

  • US threats to attack Iran if nuclear negotiations fail.

• Concern in Lebanon:

  • Iran may pressure Hezbollah to join any response to a regional conflict involving Israel.

🔎 Key Points

• At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes in eastern Lebanon.

• Hezbollah confirms eight of its members among the dead.

• Israel says strikes targeted missile command centres.

• Lebanon accuses Israel of breaching ceasefire terms.

• Disarmament talks between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state remain unresolved.

• Risk of broader regional escalation remains elevated.