Israel Strikes Bekaa Valley, Senior Hezbollah Leader Killed

Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley have killed at least 12 people and injured more than 20, according to Lebanese authorities and security sources. The strikes, among the deadliest in the region in recent weeks, targeted sites that Israel said were linked to the militant group Hezbollah. The escalation threatens to strain a fragile ceasefire brokered in 2024 after months of cross-border hostilities.

Deadly Strikes in Bekaa Valley

The Israeli military said it struck “command centres” belonging to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley, a known stronghold of the Iran-aligned group. Local television footage showed significant damage to a residential building, with emergency teams working through debris. Lebanese officials reported multiple civilian casualties, though the precise breakdown remains unclear.

Security sources indicated that Hussein Yaghi, a senior Hezbollah figure, was among those killed. He was the son of former Hezbollah lawmaker Mohamed Yaghi. Hezbollah-affiliated media confirmed his death and announced funeral arrangements. The strikes underscore Israel’s continued focus on degrading Hezbollah’s operational infrastructure.

Ceasefire Under Pressure

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a US-brokered truce in 2024 after more than a year of cross-border exchanges that intensified following regional tensions linked to the Gaza conflict. Since then, both sides have accused each other of violations. Israeli officials argue that Hezbollah has maintained military capabilities in southern and eastern Lebanon, while Lebanese leaders warn that Israeli strikes risk widening the conflict.

The United States has urged Beirut to rein in Hezbollah’s arsenal, a long-standing point of contention in Lebanese domestic politics. Lebanon, already facing severe economic and political crises, fears further destabilisation.

Strike on Sidon Refugee Camp

Earlier the same day, an Israeli strike hit the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in the port city of Sidon, killing two people. Israel said the target was a Hamas command centre. Hamas acknowledged the deaths of two members but rejected the claim, stating the building housed a joint security force comprising various Palestinian factions responsible for camp security.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Bekaa Valley is a strategic region in eastern Lebanon bordering Syria.
• Hezbollah is a Shi’ite Islamist political and militant organisation backed by Iran.
• Ain el-Hilweh is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, located near Sidon.
• The 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was mediated by the United States.

Regional Implications

The renewed violence highlights the volatility along Israel’s northern frontier. Analysts warn that sustained strikes in eastern Lebanon could expand the theatre of confrontation beyond the border zone. With Hezbollah maintaining significant military capabilities and Israel signalling readiness to act against perceived threats, the risk of a broader escalation remains acute.