Israeli forces launched a fresh wave of airstrikes deep into Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley on Monday, marking the first major escalation in the region in nearly a month. The strikes targeted infrastructure linked to Hezbollah, including two bridges over the Litani River in the western Bekaa, according to statements from the Israeli military. The attacks come as tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group show no signs of easing, despite fragile ceasefire efforts.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, framing them as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities. The operation followed a series of rocket attacks by the group, which have increasingly focused on northern Israel, including the Upper and Lower Galilee regions and the port city of Haifa. The back-and-forth violence has raised concerns about a potential full-scale conflict, with Israeli officials warning of a possible ground invasion to disarm Hezbollah.
In a statement released early Monday, Hezbollah claimed its fighters had engaged with an Israeli infantry unit that had been airlifted into the Bekaa Valley near the town of Nabi Sheet. The group said the clash began when its forces intercepted the unit near a cemetery on the eastern edge of the town. Hezbollah reported that the Israeli forces later withdrew under heavy fire, with the military resorting to what it described as “intense fire belts” involving at least 40 airstrikes to cover their retreat.
The Israeli military has not commented on the specifics of the Nabi Sheet operation, but it has acknowledged ongoing strikes in the area. Earlier this month, Israeli warplanes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold for the group. The military also announced plans to expand a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, citing the need to push Hezbollah forces away from the border.
The latest escalation underscores the precarious state of the conflict, which has simmered since October but threatens to spiral into a wider war. Analysts warn that the violence could further destabilize Lebanon, which is already grappling with a severe economic crisis and political paralysis. The Israeli government, meanwhile, has faced growing domestic pressure to address security threats along its northern border, with some officials suggesting that a large-scale military operation in Lebanon may be inevitable.
Hezbollah has vowed to continue its attacks in response to Israeli strikes, which have killed dozens of its fighters and displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has framed the conflict as part of a broader resistance against Israeli aggression, while Israel has accused Hezbollah of serving as a proxy for Iran, further complicating diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
As the violence intensifies, international observers have called for restraint, warning that a miscalculation could trigger a regional war. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that three of its peacekeepers were injured in shelling near one of its bases in southern Lebanon on Monday, though it was unclear which side was responsible for the attack.
The Israeli military’s latest strikes in the Bekaa Valley signal a potential shift in strategy, as the country appears to be broadening its targets beyond southern Lebanon. The move comes after weeks of relative calm, raising questions about whether Israel is preparing for a more aggressive phase in the conflict. For now, both sides remain locked in a cycle of retaliation, with no clear path to de-escalation in sight.
For more coverage on the escalating tensions, see how the conflict has evolved in recent weeks.
For updates on the humanitarian impact of the violence, read about the fragile ceasefire efforts here.
