Israeli air raids hit Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
The Israeli army says its air force has hit what it calls several Hezbollah targets in the Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon. The army said it hit camps of the Radwan Force, a special forces unit of the Lebanese armed group.
Lebanese security sources said that Israeli jets carried out more than 10 attacks in several eastern locations early on Tuesday. According to residents, loud explosions could be heard in the region.
Hezbollah and Israel have repeatedly accused each other of breaching a ceasefire signed last November that halted more than a year of fighting.
According to the deal, both Israel has Hezbollah should have pulled out their forces from southern Lebanon. In breach to the agreement, Israel still maintains soldiers in at least five outposts in southern Lebanon, continues to carry out attacks on occasion, including ground operations.
At least 12 killed in Israeli attack on Lebanon refugee camp
Lebanon’s National News Agency is reporting that at least 12 people were killed and eight wounded by an Israeli air strike on eastern Lebanon that hit a camp for displaced Syrians in the northern Bekaa Valley.
Seven Syrians were among those killed in the attack that took place in the Wadi Fara area.
The Israeli army earlier claimed it conducted a series of attacks on Hezbollah targets.
Syrian labourers among 12 killed as Israel pounds Lebanon
This is the deadliest day since November when the ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah came into force. But since then, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes targeting what it calls Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and personnel.
According to local authorities, 12 people were killed today. There were more than a dozen Israeli air strikes targeting three locations. In one of those strikes, seven Syrian labourers were killed. Some were members of the same family. Five Lebanese were also killed. Local authorities did not identify them, but security sources say they are members of Hezbollah.
The Israeli army says it is targeting weapon depots, and it will continue as long as “Hezbollah continues to plot to restore its military capability”. We also heard from the Israeli defence minister, putting more pressure on the Lebanese government to fully disarm Hezbollah.
It hasn’t done so yet. It has been treading carefully, preferring dialogue with the group instead of a confrontation. But no doubt Lebanon is at a crossroads. Many fear these Israeli attacks are just going to increase pressure on the Lebanese state to act against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah warns of ‘major escalation’ after deadly Israeli strikes
The Lebanese armed group issued the warning after Israeli air strikes killed 12 people, including seven Syrians and five Lebanese, in the deadliest attack since a November ceasefire took hold.
In a statement, Hezbollah said the attack marked “a major escalation in the context of the ongoing aggression against Lebanon and its people”. It called on the Lebanese government to “take serious, immediate and decisive action” to uphold the truce with Israel.
It also demanded that the United States live up to its responsibility as the sponsor of the ceasefire.
“In absence of an official, strong and effective position, and the continuing negligence and inaction internationally, will only lead to more violations and aggression,” Hezbollah said.
Israel is trying to press on Lebanon’s “national will”, but the Lebanese people will “hold on to resistance as a choice to confront the enemy”.
