Ten Killed in Israeli Strikes on Lebanon, Including Senior Hezbollah Leader

At least ten people were killed in Israeli Airstrikes on eastern Lebanon, including a senior leader of Hezbollah, according to security sources. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes targeted Hezbollah strongholds in the Baalbek region of the Bekaa Valley.

The attacks, carried out on Friday, also left around 50 people injured, two security sources told Reuters. The escalation marks one of the deadliest rounds of violence in eastern Lebanon in recent weeks and threatens to undermine a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

Strikes Target Baalbek in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

The Israeli military confirmed it had struck Hezbollah command centres in the Baalbek area, a historic city located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. The region has long been considered a stronghold of the Iran-backed Shi’ite group.

According to local security sources, one of those killed in the strikes was a prominent Hezbollah figure. Hezbollah did not immediately issue an official response to the reports.

The scale of the casualties makes the strikes among the most severe recorded in eastern Lebanon in recent weeks.

Fragile US-Brokered Ceasefire Under Pressure

The latest violence risks further destabilising a ceasefire brokered by the United States in 2024. The truce was aimed at ending more than a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which had resulted in significant damage to Hezbollah’s infrastructure due to sustained Israeli strikes.

Since the agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire. The renewed Israeli strikes are likely to intensify tensions and test the durability of the agreement.

Lebanese Leaders Warn of Further Destabilisation

Lebanese political leaders have warned that continued Israeli military operations could further destabilise a country already grappling with deep political paralysis and economic collapse. Lebanon has faced years of financial crisis, currency devaluation, and governance challenges, making it particularly vulnerable to renewed conflict.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli officials have called on Lebanese authorities to curb Hezbollah’s military stockpile, arguing that the group’s armed presence poses an ongoing security threat.

Separate Strike Targets Hamas Site in Ain al-Hilweh

In a separate development, the Israeli military said it struck what it described as a Hamas command centre in the Ain al-Hilweh area in southern Lebanon. The site, according to Israeli officials, was allegedly used by militants for operational activities.

Ain al-Hilweh is a densely populated Palestinian refugee camp located near the coastal city of Sidon. The camp has historically witnessed intermittent violence and factional clashes.

Hamas condemned the Israeli strike in a statement and denied Israeli claims that the targeted location belonged to the camp’s Joint Security Force, which is tasked with maintaining internal security within the camp.

Regional Tensions Escalate Amid Ongoing Accusations

The renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon highlight the persistent volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border. With a senior Hezbollah leader reportedly among the dead, the risk of retaliatory action looms large.

As accusations of ceasefire violations continue from both sides, diplomatic efforts may once again be tested to prevent a broader regional escalation. The coming days are likely to be critical in determining whether the truce can hold or whether the conflict will intensify further.