Israel strikes Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, killing 2 in ceasefire breach

A general view of destruction as Lebanese citizens return to their homes, severely damaged by Israeli attacks, after Israeli forces withdraw from Ayta ash-Shaab municipality of Nabatieh Governorate, southern Lebanon on January 27, 2025 [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Israel launched a series of air strikes on Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, killing at least two people and wounding ten, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks mark a further breach of a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

The Israeli military claimed today that it struck “multiple Hezbollah targets” near the Syrian border, including “underground infrastructure used to develop and manufacture weaponry” and sites allegedly used for arms smuggling into Lebanon.

A member of the Lebanese parliament, on behalf of Hezbollah, Ibrahim Al-Moussawi, condemned the strikes, calling them “a very dangerous violation and a blatant and explicit aggression” and urging Lebanon to take action against Israel’s continued attacks.

Tensions have escalated after Israel extended a recent deadline for the withdrawal of its forces from Lebanon.

According to Al-Jazeera, Israel was scheduled to withdraw its forces from Lebanon by 26 January under a ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah in November. However, the deadline was pushed to 18 February after Israel refused to comply, claiming the Lebanese army’s alleged failure to fulfil its obligations under the deal.

The terms required the Lebanese army to deploy in the south while Hezbollah pulled its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border. Despite the extension, Israel has signalled it will not meet the deadline.

Since the ceasefire began on 27 November, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed at least 83 people and injured 228, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Many casualties occurred as displaced residents attempted to return to villages still occupied by Israeli soldiers.

Tensions have flared this week as Israeli forces killed at least 24 people in southern Lebanon while Lebanese media reported ongoing violations, including assaults on the border town of Taybeh and the village of Kfar Kila.

On Wednesday, a drone strike injured five people in Majdal Selem, Reuters reported.

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