Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Result in 12 Fatalities

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley have led to the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including seven Syrians, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah rise once more.

At least 12 people have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, as confirmed by Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr. Among the deceased are seven Syrians, including a family of five, along with three Lebanese victims, following attacks on the Wadi Faara area. In addition, two other individuals were reported dead in Shmustar.

The Israeli military has acknowledged the strikes, asserting they targeted multiple military installations associated with the armed group Hezbollah, focusing on training facilities linked to the elite Radwan Force. This marks the deadliest strikes since a ceasefire was established after a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which included two months of intense warfare that left Hezbollah considerably weakened.

While Hezbollah has yet to officially respond, their Al-Manar TV channel has reported that these attacks violate both the ceasefire and Lebanon's sovereignty. Lt Col Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated on X that the recent strikes aimed at military compounds housing operatives and equipment of the Radwan Force. This elite commando unit is crucial to Hezbollah’s capabilities.

The IDF noted the deaths of Radwan Force commanders in a prior campaign against Hezbollah, referring to a sustained air campaign launched in September 2024, which prompted the group to work on re-establishing its operational strength. The IDF claims that Hezbollah's military activities in the Bekaa Valley are a direct violation of the understanding between Israel and Lebanon and pose a significant threat to Israeli security.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the retaliatory strikes send a “clear message” to both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. He reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to respond decisively against any attempts to restore Hezbollah's military power.

The ceasefire agreement, negotiated in November by US mediators, called for adherence to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the previous war in 2006. It required Hezbollah to withdraw its forces from specific positions near the Israeli border, allowing only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers arms-privilege in that strategic area, while Israel was expected to fully withdraw from Lebanon—though it has maintained a military presence at various key locations. The agreement underscored previous Security Council calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon.