On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, killing at least 12 people, including seven Syrian refugees, according to Lebanese state media. The Israeli military confirmed that its fighter jets hit Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, which is suspected of planning and carrying out attacks against Israel.
The Israeli airstrikes were part of a broader military operation, which included multiple raids on sites in northern Bekaa, particularly in the Wadi Fara area. Among the targets was a camp for displaced Syrians, where the fatalities occurred. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that at least eight others were wounded in the strikes.
Despite a ceasefire signed in November 2024, which aimed to end a year-long period of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel continues to carry out military actions, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah’s presence in the region. The ceasefire agreement had outlined that Hezbollah should pull its fighters back from areas close to the Israeli border, leaving only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to maintain order.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, described the recent strikes as a “clear message” to both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, which is responsible for enforcing the terms of the ceasefire. Katz emphasized that Israel would continue to target Hezbollah’s operations, especially any efforts to rebuild its military capabilities. He warned that any violation of the ceasefire terms would be met with “maximum force.”
Israeli military officials pointed to recent activity in the region, including the storage of weapons and other materials by Hezbollah at the sites targeted in Tuesday’s strikes, as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. They argue that Hezbollah’s actions are a direct threat to Israel’s security.
This latest escalation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the 2024 agreement, the situation in Lebanon remains highly volatile, with the potential for further conflicts if the ceasefire is not fully respected by all parties.
