An Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of six individuals and left two others injured, escalating tensions amid an already fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. The attack occurred on Saturday in the Shaara area, located near the town of Jennata in the eastern Bekaa region, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The Israeli military stated that the air raid targeted what it claimed were Hezbollah operatives within a facility used for the production and storage of strategic weapons. This operation was described as a violation of the ceasefire agreement established on November 27, which aimed to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah following a period of intense conflict.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its military operations against Hezbollah, asserting that the group has not fully complied with the terms of the agreement. The ceasefire was supposed to see the Lebanese army deployed alongside United Nations peacekeepers in the south, replacing Hezbollah forces. However, Israel has delayed its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, citing ongoing violations by Hezbollah.
The airstrike in Bekaa Valley, a region known as a Hezbollah stronghold, follows a series of Israeli attacks in the area. Just days prior, on January 31, at least two people were killed in strikes on multiple Hezbollah targets near the Syrian border. Hezbollah official Ibrahim Moussawi condemned these actions, labeling them a significant violation and urging the Lebanese government to take action against Israel’s continued military aggression.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the fragile ceasefire and the potential for renewed conflict in the region. The ongoing military actions by Israel raise concerns about the stability of Lebanon and the broader implications for regional security.