Israel conducted a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley on Monday, raising tensions in an already volatile region tense over ceasefire violations. Lebanese officials reported that these strikes hit Mahmoudiyah, Al-Jarmaq, Brital heights Hermel Khreibeh some distance away from Israel’s border zone shared between both nations. IRNA English/ The National Scope and Targets of the Operation Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli strikes were launched against Hezbollah explosives factories, including its “largest precision missile manufacturing site” in southern Lebanon. According to Israel’s military claims, weapons production and underground storage facilities used by Hezbollah had been disrupted, leading them to rebuild infrastructure dismantled under earlier ceasefire agreements despite previous ceasefire agreements being dismantled as Hezbollah attempted to restore their presence through rebuilding efforts that had dismantling agreements being in effect. Wikipedia +6 The Guardian Lebanonese media confirmed the locations of these strikes, noting raids in Mahmoudiyah, Al-Khardali, Jarmaq and Hermel as well as mountainous terrain between Khreibeh and Brital in Bekaa Valley. For additional coverage please read National IRNA English +6 and IRNA Arabic (+6) Context: Fragile Truce and Ongoing Violations Since a ceasefire was struck in November 2024, Israel has continued its frequent air raids, which it claims target Hezbollah threats remaining from previous battles. U.S. and French monitoring monitored Hezbollah withdrawal south of Litani River while Israeli withdrawal occurred as per agreement; yet strikes continue regardless. Whether these agreements exist is unclear. Washington Post >> Wikipedia >>, and >> The Sun. On June 27th 2025, there was a sudden and violent upsurge which saw more than 20 targets bombed within 15 minutes in Nabatieh and Beaufort Ridge; marking one of the largest flare-ups since the ceasefire agreement had taken effect. One Lebanese civilian died while 21 more were injured due to these strikes (Wikipedia | Washington Post | Sun). Humanitarian and Civilian Impact Although precise figures regarding this operation have yet to be released, past Israeli assaults have had severe repercussions for civilians and critical infrastructure in Lebanon. For instance, during September 2024’s Northern Arrows campaign more than 800 people were killed, thousands wounded, and extensive displacement ensued – an effect which hasn’t subsided as of yet. Wikipedia Lebanon has also experienced substantial damage in the health sector: between late 2023 and late 2024 alone, at least 70 health professionals died and 98 medical facilities closed due to strikes. Whilst some hospitals remain operational during these crises, others have shut down altogether due to strikes. Throughout all this turmoil in Lebanon has suffered significantly: between late 2023 and late 2024 at least 70 health professionals died and at least 98 medical facilities closed as a result. Whilst these casualties might seem far away they have nonetheless had lasting ramifications with at least 70 health professionals dying among their ranks being killed due to strikes as well as shutting down medical facilities that had also become nonfunctional due to strikes affecting medical professionals being killed due to strikes affecting staff as 98 medical facilities were shut down following strikes affecting them both in Lebanon itself and so too has suffered substantially from disruption caused by strikes affecting staff being killed whilst strikes with several shut down during late 2024 shutting down due to strikes against strikes at least. Whilst it should have occurred within Lebanon itself had more health professionals died; and medical facilities shut down as strike workers striking employees being killed with at least 98 medical facilities shut due to strikes; Political Repercussions and Diplomatic Tensions Lebanese leaders strongly condemned Israel’s raids as violations of sovereignty, warning of potential breaches to the ceasefire agreement and upholding Lebanon’s territorial rights. President Joseph Aoun called for international intervention to prevent further escalation; Hezbollah has not returned rocket fire, raising questions as to why they had renewed attacks from Israel. Israeli officials justify attacks as necessary measures to counter Hezbollah armament activities that have resumed and violations of ceasefire terms, with weapons factories dismantled last year being rebuilt and renewed activity at former factories being reported on. newyorker.com +8 The National +8 CBS News +8 Analysts caution of an air campaign’s risk to disrupt regional peace accorded under the 2024 ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah’s continued arms build-up if verified could undermine it and lead to retaliatory measures from Israel and Hezbollah; many international observers fear Lebanon becoming once more the site of violence should deterrence measures increase further. For more information see Wikipedia (Lebanese). Humanitarian agencies note the enormous displacement caused by prior waves of bombing. With refugee numbers remaining high and infrastructure being severely degraded, renewed fighting could result in another humanitarian emergency. Source: WW1.Wikipedia Looking Ahead Cross-border hostilities continue intermittently, making the November 2024 ceasefire increasingly tenuous. Both sides accuse one another of violations, raising fears of further escalation. Regional mediators such as France and the U.S. should continue urging for restraint and dialogue – although recent flare-ups test diplomatic frameworks in place. Keeping an Eye Out A Security Council Report recently identified several areas for potential tension escalation along the border area between India and Pakistan that remain volatile as regards further escalation risks increased substantially Israel’s renewed airstrikes against Lebanon–targeting what it claims are Hezbollah weapons sites–underline a fragile peace under increasing strain. The raids conducted in southern Lebanon and Bekaa threaten its continuation while raising concerns over potential civilian harm and renewed conflict, raising alarm bells with observers warning of diminishing chances for de-escalation.
