Israel Hezbollah conflict strikes: 40 dead in Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek and Bekaa, targeting Hezbollah operatives

On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes struck the eastern Lebanese governorates of Baalbek and Bekaa, killing at least 40 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. These attacks targeted Hezbollah operatives in retaliation for cross-border hostilities. The violence is part of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict strikes, which have escalated over the past several weeks.

The airstrikes hit several locations, including the city of Baalbek, known for its Roman ruins, and the surrounding area. One of the strikes caused severe damage to the Manshiya building, a historic Ottoman-era structure near the ancient Roman temples. This destruction has sparked concerns over the preservation of Lebanon’s cultural heritage, with the Lebanese Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada labelling the damage as a significant loss to global heritage.

Additionally, Israeli military officials reported targeting Hezbollah’s command centres, weapons storage, and other key infrastructure, particularly in southern Beirut. Despite evacuation warnings issued by Israel, the Lebanese capital experienced significant damage, including a massive fireball seen in the night sky. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that their strikes were aimed at military targets linked to Hezbollah’s military operations.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah fighters retaliated with rocket attacks. A rocket launched from southern Lebanon killed an Israeli civilian near the kibbutz of Kfar Masaryk in northern Israel. These attacks marked the latest round of escalating violence, which has claimed the lives of hundreds in recent weeks and displaced over a million people in Lebanon.

On the ground in Lebanon, the Israeli strikes also targeted a four-story building in the coastal town of Barja, near Beirut. At least 30 people were killed in the building, which housed displaced individuals. The lack of an evacuation warning prior to the strike raised further concerns about the safety of civilians in conflict zones. One survivor described the destruction as catastrophic, with large blocks of masonry falling on his family. Despite the challenges, he managed to rescue his wife and child, calling it a “miracle.”

As the conflict continues, the region remains on edge. Israel’s military confirmed the deaths of several Hezbollah leaders in airstrikes and ground operations. Hezbollah’s leadership has vowed to continue its resistance against Israeli aggression, emphasizing its readiness to confront Israeli forces anywhere. The group’s new secretary general, Naim Qassem, declared that only military action would stop the current conflict, rejecting the possibility of a political solution.