The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes in the Baalbek region of northeastern Lebanon during the early hours of Sunday, as reported by the Times of Israel, citing local Lebanese media outlets. This move comes in response to a series of missile, rocket, and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel over the weekend.
Baalbek, historically identified as a Hezbollah stronghold, sits nearly 100 kilometers from the Israeli border. This marks the fourth instance during the ongoing conflict that Israel has targeted Hezbollah positions in the Baalbek area.
Earlier in the week, Israel’s military conducted a targeted operation within specific areas of Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, citing intelligence indicating the presence of senior Hamas operatives using the facility to coordinate attacks against Israel.
In a statement, an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson emphasized that the operation was in response to actionable intelligence necessitating immediate action. The spokesperson reiterated that the objective was to combat Hamas militants while minimizing harm to civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the country’s intention to proceed with a ground operation in Rafah, despite concerns expressed globally. Netanyahu informed US President Joe Biden of this decision during a recent conversation, despite Biden effectively ruling out support for a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan cautioned against a major ground operation, citing potential consequences such as increased civilian casualties, exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis, and further international isolation of Israel.
Tensions remain high in the region as Israel continues its efforts to counter threats from Hezbollah and Hamas while navigating diplomatic challenges and international scrutiny.
