Israel struck sites across Lebanon on Friday near Sidon and in the Bekaa Valley, targeting operatives and command centers linked to Hamas and Hezbollah.
A preliminary toll states that 17 have been killed across Lebanon.
Ain al-Hilweh Strikes
Israeli missiles have struck a site in the Ain al-Hilweh area of Sidon on Friday where the Israeli army alleges a Hamas command center is located.
Reports reveal that 3 people have been killed in this offensive, and at least 12 have been wounded.
Israel has deemed activity in the area as a “violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon” and a threat to Israeli security, according to AFP.
The IDF has carried out regular airstrikes throughout southern Lebanon, mostly against Hezbollah-affiliated sites and operatives south of the Litani River. However, Israel still strikes targets elsewhere in Lebanon, including Friday’s attacks in Sidon.
The Israeli military has stated that it will operate decisively “against the entrenchment” of Palestinian militant groups operating in Lebanon, including Hamas. On Sunday, Israel also targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives along the Lebanon-Syria border last Sunday which killed four people.
Ain al-Hilweh is Lebanon’s largest Palestinian camp and has been an area of Israel’s focus in targeting Hamas operations. Ain al-Hilweh was previously struck in November 2025 which resulted in 13 deaths, one of the most lethal attacks since November 2024.
Bekaa Valley Strikes
The Israeli Army also carried out six air raids on three buildings in the Bekaa Valley on Friday evening near the Baalbek-Riyak road, killing 14 and wounding at least 55.
The targeted sites are located on the outskirts of Nabi Sheet near the Lebanon-Syria border and the plain of Qasr Naba in the Baalbek district.
According to al-Hadath, the home of a Hezbollah commander in the Bekaa Valley was targeted in Israel’s strikes. Additionally, the Israeli Army said that it struck Hezbollah command centers.
One of the deaths is reported to be the son of Abu Salim Yaghi, a Hezbollah official and former member of Parliament.
A building near the al-Qard al-Hassan Foundation has reportedly collapsed from being hit.
Local reports state that the Riyak Hospital has seen an influx of patients.
An IDF statement commented that “we recently carried out a strike in the Baalbek area on Hezbollah facilities that were being used to advance plans against us.”
Israeli Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on X that “Hezbollah systematically places its assets in the heart of civilian population centers, contrary to agreements, with cynical exploitation of the population and using them as human shields” in a comment on the Bekaa Valley strikes.
“The Israel Defense Forces will continue to work to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel,” he added.
While the Lebanese Army has been undergoing efforts to extend its sovereignty over Lebanon’s periphery and establish a monopoly on arms, Israel has accused it of being slow and inefficient at doing so, accusing Hezbollah of rearming.
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