Hezbollah warned that “resistance” is the only option after Israeli airstrikes killed eight of its operatives in Lebanon. The attacks targeted Hezbollah command centres in eastern Lebanon and Hamas-linked sites in the south. Lebanese authorities reported 12 deaths overall, highlighting rising tensions in the region.
A Hezbollah official, Mahmud Qamati, described the attacks in the Bekaa Valley as a “new massacre and aggression,” emphasizing the group’s resolve to defend itself. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, calling them acts of aggression that threaten diplomatic stability.
Read more: Lebanon reports deaths after Israel strikes Hamas
Mass funerals were held for the slain fighters in Baalbek, with hundreds attending and waving Hezbollah flags. The Israeli military said it targeted missile arrays and command centres, claiming the strikes were precise counterterrorism actions. Hamas also condemned the raids, citing civilian casualties in southern refugee camps.
The strikes come amid regional tensions, including US-Iran disputes over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned that any attack on Iran, a key backer, would also target Hezbollah. Both Israel and Lebanon have emphasized their ongoing security and defense measures in the volatile border regions.
Read more: Wave of Israeli attacks kills two in Lebanon in latest ceasefire violation
Observers note that these events underscore the fragility of the ceasefire established in November 2024. The multinational committee monitoring the ceasefire, including the US, plans to meet next week amid calls from Hezbollah to suspend sessions until attacks stop.