Israeli Airstrikes Kill Multiple People in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley as Ceasefire Faces New Strain

Tensions in the Middle East escalated again after Israeli airstrikes struck eastern Lebanon on Friday, killing and injuring several people and raising concerns about the stability of a fragile ceasefire.

Security sources told Reuters that at least ten people were killed and around fifty others were wounded after strikes hit areas in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley near Baalbek. The Israeli military said the operation targeted sites connected to Hezbollah.

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According to the sources, one of the people killed may have been a senior figure linked to the group, although official confirmation has not yet been released.

Israel Says Hezbollah Facilities Were Targeted

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the strikes focused on command centres used by Hezbollah in the Baalbek region.

The area has long been considered a stronghold for the Iran-backed organization, and Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that Hezbollah’s military infrastructure poses a threat to Israel’s security.

There was no immediate public response from Hezbollah following the strikes.

Ceasefire Under Pressure

The latest attack comes despite a ceasefire reached in 2024 that was intended to stop more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The agreement, which was supported by the United States, helped reduce hostilities but has faced repeated accusations of violations from both sides.

Analysts say incidents like Friday’s strikes risk pushing the region back toward wider confrontation.

Strike Reported in Palestinian Camp

Separately, the Israeli military said it also targeted what it described as a command centre used by Hamas in the Ain al-Hilweh area of southern Lebanon.

The location is one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps in the country and lies near the coastal city of Sidon. Details about casualties from that strike were not immediately clear.

Regional Stability at Stake

Lebanon has already been struggling with severe economic and political challenges, and further military escalation could place additional pressure on the country.

Officials in Washington and Tel Aviv have urged Lebanese authorities to limit Hezbollah’s military presence, while Lebanese leaders have warned that continued strikes could destabilize the country further.

For now, the situation remains fluid as governments and international observers watch closely to see whether tensions ease or grow in the coming days.