BEIRUT (AP) – On Friday, Israel's air force targeted eastern Lebanon with airstrikes, as reported by the Lebanese state-run news agency. The strikes were aimed at a facility allegedly used for the production of precision missiles, although no immediate details on casualties were provided. This incident marks a continuation of military activities following the cessation of the Israel-Hezbollah war, which concluded in November after 14 months of intense conflict.
The airstrikes specifically took place near the village of Saraain, located in the Bekaa Valley region, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Israel's military articulated that the targeted site was in breach of the established understanding between the two nations. Furthermore, the Israeli military expressed its commitment to counter any potential threats to Israeli security.
Since the ceasefire came into effect, Israel has reportedly conducted nearly daily air raids across both southern and eastern Lebanon, with claims that Hezbollah is actively engaged in efforts to rearm and rebuild its military capabilities. The recent conflict, which escalated significantly over the past year, resulted in devastating consequences, killing more than 4,000 individuals in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians. The war inflicted an estimated $11 billion in damage to Lebanese infrastructure, as assessed by the World Bank. Conversely, Israeli casualties included 127 fatalities, with 80 of those being military personnel.
The hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reignited when Hezbollah initiated rocket fire across the border on October 8, 2023. This assault occurred a day after a deadly incursion led by Hamas into southern Israel, which sparked a broader conflict in Gaza. The cycle of retaliation quickly escalated, leading the two factions into a protracted and intense warfare scenario that exploded into full-blown hostilities by late September 2024.
As tensions remain high in the region, the periodic airstrikes serve as stark reminders of the unrelenting volatility between Israel and Hezbollah. With resolving peace remaining elusive, the geopolitical landscape continues to be fraught with challenges, greatly affecting civilians caught in the crossfire.
