The Israeli military conducted airstrikes deep inside Lebanon on Monday, targeting locations associated with the militant group Hezbollah. The strikes resulted in explosions near the northeastern city of Baalbek, where at least two individuals were reported killed according to a Hezbollah official.
These airstrikes mark some of the most significant attacks into Lebanon since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict over four months ago. The Israeli Defense Minister had previously expressed intentions to escalate actions against Hezbollah, even if a cease-fire agreement is reached with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Reports from Lebanese security officials indicated that the Israeli air force carried out three airstrikes on the outskirts of the village of Buday, a known Hezbollah stronghold near Baalbek. A Hezbollah official confirmed the strikes, mentioning casualties and damage to a warehouse associated with Hezbollah's Sajjad Project.
Hezbollah had earlier claimed to have shot down an Israeli drone over its stronghold in southern Lebanon. In response, Israel intercepted a missile fired by Hezbollah, which landed near a synagogue in northern Israel without causing any harm.
Hezbollah has been engaged in ongoing clashes with Israeli forces along the border since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October. The recent strike near Baalbek is particularly noteworthy due to its deep penetration into Lebanese territory, reminiscent of a previous airstrike in January that targeted a top Hamas official in Beirut.
Efforts to broker a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have been underway, with proposals suggesting a withdrawal of Hezbollah forces several kilometers away from the border. These proposals also entail increased presence of the Lebanese army and negotiations for Israeli forces to vacate disputed border areas claimed by Lebanon since Israel's partial withdrawal in 2000.
Hezbollah has indicated a willingness to consider these proposals but has emphasized that any agreement in Lebanon is contingent upon a cease-fire agreement being reached in Gaza.
