Israel carried out a large-scale wave of air strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, intensifying military operations against Hezbollah despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.
The Israeli military said more than 100 Hezbollah-linked sites and fighters were targeted during one of the heaviest bombardments since a US-mediated ceasefire took effect in mid-April.
Lebanese health officials reported that at least 11 people, including two children, were killed in strikes on the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley. Several others were injured after homes were destroyed during the attacks.
Israel said the strikes targeted areas where Hezbollah fighters and military infrastructure had been identified.
The escalation follows remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that he had ordered the military to “increase pressure” on Hezbollah in response to continued attacks from the Iran-backed group.
“We will strike them with force,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
His comments triggered panic in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, where residents rushed to leave the area fearing further attacks. Heavy traffic and long lines of vehicles were reported overnight as families attempted to flee.
Although Beirut itself was not directly hit, Israeli warplanes launched repeated attacks across multiple regions of Lebanon throughout the night. Reports indicated that nearly 50 locations were targeted.
In the southern town of Arab Salim, a man and his wife were killed after their home was struck, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. Two additional deaths were reported in Kauthariyet El Rez.
Footage shared online from Mashghara showed damaged buildings, fires, and smoke rising from residential areas after the bombardment.
The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that rescue teams recovered the bodies of 11 victims from the rubble, including one woman and two children, while at least 15 others suffered injuries.
Israel’s military later released aerial footage it claimed showed strikes on Hezbollah positions and infrastructure in Mashghara. Officials said the operation targeted areas linked to militant activity.
The Israeli military also stated that more than 90 Hezbollah facilities were struck overnight, including weapons depots, command centres, and observation points in southern Lebanon.
On Tuesday morning, Israel issued fresh evacuation warnings in parts of Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement established on 17 April.
Military spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said Hezbollah’s repeated attacks had forced Israel to respond militarily.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it had launched attacks on three military barracks and an Israeli military position in northern Israel, describing the strikes as retaliation for Israeli ceasefire violations.
Tensions have remained high despite diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the wider regional conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the United States.
Netanyahu’s order to intensify military operations came shortly after Israel confirmed that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
According to Israeli figures, 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in Hezbollah-related attacks since fighting intensified in March.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli military operations during the same period have killed at least 3,185 people across the country.
Be the first to leave a comment