Israel strikes deep in east Lebanon, after soldier killed

On Monday, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah weapons depots deep within Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating that fighter jets had struck multiple Hezbollah weapons storage sites, causing secondary explosions that indicated large quantities of arms were destroyed. A source close to Hezbollah, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, corroborated the attack, noting that the depots were indeed Hezbollah assets.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that the strikes resulted in injuries to eight individuals. The region, already tense due to regular exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, has seen increased violence since Hamas, supported by Hezbollah, attacked Israel on October 7, sparking the Gaza conflict. While much of the conflict has been concentrated along the Lebanon-Israel border, Israel has increasingly targeted the Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Tensions have further escalated following the deaths of key figures on both sides. Last month, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah operations leader, just hours before another attack in Tehran, attributed to Israel, resulted in the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. These incidents have led to vows of retaliation from Hezbollah and Iran, raising fears of a broader conflict.

In a separate incident on Monday, an Israeli military member from the Bedouin Trackers Unit was reported killed during combat in northern Israel. Lebanon’s health ministry also confirmed the death of one individual following an Israeli drone strike near Tyre, and Hezbollah reported two of its fighters were "martyred" in the ongoing conflict. Israel's military has claimed responsibility for several strikes, including one that targeted Hezbollah militants in the border village of Hula and another that destroyed Hezbollah military structures in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah responded with an attack using explosive-laden drones targeting Israeli military installations near the border and close to the town of Acre, about 15 kilometers from the frontier. Although most of the drones were intercepted, some did reach the Yaara area. Hezbollah also reported repelling Israeli soldiers attempting to infiltrate near the border, using rocket-propelled grenades and artillery to force their retreat.

The violence has severely affected the civilian population, with the UN estimating that nearly 150,000 people in Lebanon live in areas under daily bombardment. The conflict has also displaced over 110,000 people in southern Lebanon and around 100,000 in northern Israel. The ongoing violence has claimed 585 lives in Lebanon, primarily Hezbollah fighters, but also at least 128 civilians. On the Israeli side, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers and 26 civilians, including casualties in the Golan Heights.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, concerns grow over a full-scale war, with the memories of the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah still fresh in the minds of those living in the region. The international community remains alarmed by the escalating violence and the apparent disregard for international humanitarian law, as highlighted by the deaths of 21 paramedics who were caught in the crossfire while performing their duties.