Israeli airstrikes near the city of Baalbek, which is largely controlled by Hezbollah, resulted in the deaths of two members of the group on Monday, according to two security sources who spoke to AFP. These strikes mark the first time Israel has targeted Lebanon’s eastern region since clashes erupted following the Gaza war.
According to an unnamed security official cited by AFP, the airstrikes killed two Hezbollah members near Baalbek. Another source confirmed this information. Earlier on Monday, one of the sources mentioned that an Israeli strike targeted a building in a Baalbek suburb that housed a civilian institution associated with Hezbollah. Additionally, a warehouse belonging to the Iran-backed group was struck in the vicinity.
Both sources requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the press. The Israeli army stated that it is currently targeting what it refers to as “Hezbollah terror targets” deep inside Lebanon.
These airstrikes on Monday are significant as they represent the first attack on Hezbollah outside of Lebanon’s southern region since the conflict began following the Gaza war in October.
Baalbek, situated in the Bekaa valley, is considered a stronghold for Hezbollah and shares a border with Syria. Earlier on Monday, Hezbollah claimed to have shot down a large Israeli drone in southern Lebanon.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has seen near-daily exchanges of fire since October 8. While most of the strikes have been concentrated along the border between the two countries, Israel has occasionally targeted areas within Lebanon, including Beirut.
In January, an airstrike, widely attributed to Israel, targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in south Beirut, killing Hamas’s deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri and six other militants. This incident marked the highest-profile Hamas figure to be killed during the conflict.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized on Sunday that Israeli action against Hezbollah would continue unabated, regardless of any ceasefire or hostage deal reached in Gaza.
According to an AFP tally, at least 280 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, have been killed on the Lebanese side since the fighting began, with 44 civilians among the casualties. On the Israeli side, the Israeli army reports that 10 soldiers and six civilians have been killed.
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