Israeli Strike Kills 10 in Lebanon

Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon killed at least 10 people and wounded 24 others, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024. The episode highlights a persistent pattern of cross-border violence even after formal truce arrangements intended to stabilize the frontier.

Escalation Despite Ceasefire Commitments

The Lebanese Ministry of Health said the strikes killed 10 and injured 24, including three children. Local reports cited by regional media estimated “at least a dozen” killed and “over 30 wounded” across Lebanon.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) stated that search and rescue operations were ongoing at the strike site, indicating uncertainty over the final casualty count.

The strikes follow repeated incidents since the November 2024 ceasefire. In February, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon killed one person and injured seven in Ebba and Harouf, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Lebanese officials have said Israeli fire has continued “almost daily” despite the truce, with more than 370 people killed since the agreement entered into force. The cumulative toll points to the difficulty of enforcing de-escalation mechanisms along a heavily militarized and politically sensitive border.

Civilian Harm And Infrastructure Pressure

Beyond the Bekaa Valley, Hamas condemned the targeting of the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon. Initial estimates suggested more than two fatalities in that area.

In a statement, Hamas said: “This is yet another crime added to the series of ongoing attacks against our Palestinian people and a violation of the sovereignty of our brotherly country, Lebanon.”

The group also rejected Israeli claims that a militant facility was targeted, calling the allegation “a flimsy pretext that does not stand up to scrutiny.”

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun warned that continued Israeli violations risk undermining diplomatic efforts to restore stability. The warning reflects broader Lebanese concerns that repeated strikes erode state authority, complicate humanitarian operations, and heighten risks for civilians already affected by years of economic crisis and regional conflict spillover.

UNIFIL And Miscalculation Risks

Security concerns have also touched international forces. On January 13, Israeli Merkava tanks fired three shells near a Spanish patrol serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

According to accounts cited in regional coverage, shells landed approximately 150-380 meters from peacekeepers. No injuries were reported, but the patrol withdrew after reporting laser tracking.

The incident illustrated the proximity of kinetic operations to international personnel and the potential for unintended escalation.

Military Balance And State Control

In January, the Lebanese army announced completion of the first phase of a government-led plan to disarm Hezbollah near the Israeli border.

Authorities have also overseen the transfer of weapons from several Palestinian factions in refugee camps to Lebanese security institutions over the past year.

These measures form part of Beirut’s effort to consolidate state control and reduce the presence of non-state armed actors along the frontier, even as external military pressure persists.