Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 10 in Lebanon
Israeli air strikes have reportedly claimed the lives of at least 10 people in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials, despite an ongoing ceasefire.
The Circumstances of the Strikes
– The Israeli military stated that the attacks targeted sites associated with Hezbollah, a prominent Shia Muslim militia and political party operating in the Bekaa Valley, an area with significant Hezbollah presence.
– Hezbollah confirmed that at least eight of its members were killed, including a senior field commander.
– These strikes are among the deadliest occurrences in Lebanon since the ceasefire that concluded the war between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024.
Ongoing Tensions Despite the Ceasefire
– Since the cessation of hostilities which followed 13 months of conflict, Israel has conducted nearly daily strikes on Lebanon, aiming at targets it attributes to Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
– Images circulating online from one of the impacted areas on Friday night revealed extensive damage in what appeared to be a residential neighborhood.
Statements from Israeli Military
– In its statement, the Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hezbollah command centers and accused the group of systematically embedding its assets within the civilian population.
– They emphasized that Hezbollah’s activities constitute a breach of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.
– On Saturday, the military indicated that it had eliminated several terrorists of Hezbollah’s missile array in three different command centers, which it described as operating to expedite the organization’s readiness and capabilities for potential attacks on Israel.
Hezbollah’s Position
– Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organization by nations such as the UK and the US, maintains that the ceasefire agreement pertains only to southern Lebanon. This area lies between the Litani River and the Blue Line, the unofficial border separating Lebanon and Israel.
– In these regions, the Lebanese army has dismantled Hezbollah’s infrastructure as a part of an initial step to disarm the group following its conflict with Israel. However, Hezbollah has refused calls from Lebanese authorities to negotiate the future of its weapons in other parts of the country, particularly in the Bekaa Valley where part of its arsenal is believed to be stored.
Government Response and Growing Tensions
– This week, Hezbollah rejected a decision by the Lebanese government to advance the next phase of the disarmament plan in territories stretching from north of the Litani River to the Awali River, particularly in the port city of Sidon.
– Lebanon’s government asserts that Israel’s ongoing military actions violate the ceasefire agreement and has appealed to the international community for pressure on Israel to cease its attacks. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam characterized the situation as a one-sided war of attrition.
Broader Regional Concerns
– Just hours before the strikes targeting eastern Lebanon, an Israeli raid occurred in the densely populated Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Helweh, located on the outskirts of Sidon. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted a command center linked to Hamas, resulting in the deaths of two Hamas members.
– These events arise amid escalating tensions in the region, with the United States warning of potential military action against Iran should negotiations between the two nations collapse. There is apprehension in Lebanon that Iran might compel Hezbollah to respond to any Israeli attack.
Lebanon’s struggles with ongoing Israeli military actions highlight the fragile peace and the strained relations in the region.