Israeli defence minister says strikes under way in Lebanon are clear message to Hezbollah

 

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are intensifying, as Israeli forces launched targeted military strikes in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley. According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, these attacks are aimed at Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, which he accuses of attempting to restore and enhance its offensive capabilities against Israel. Katz emphasized that the strikes serve as a direct warning to Hezbollah not to continue its operations or plans that could pose a threat to Israeli security.

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The Radwan Force, named after a former Hezbollah military commander, is known for its specialized role in cross-border operations and is considered one of the most formidable units within the Hezbollah military structure. By targeting this unit, Israel aims to disrupt potential future raids or infiltration efforts being organized by Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

The Israeli military confirmed that airstrikes had commenced on Tuesday, focusing on specific locations associated with Hezbollah activity in the Beqaa region. This area, in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border, has long been a strategic zone for Hezbollah’s military logistics and training.

The strikes mark a significant development in the already volatile relationship between Israel and Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran and classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and many Western countries. While cross-border exchanges of fire have occurred frequently in recent months, Israel’s open targeting of Hezbollah’s elite units within deeper parts of Lebanon suggests a broader military posture and a potential shift in strategy.

These developments are also taking place in the context of heightened regional tensions, particularly involving Iran, Syria, and ongoing unrest in Gaza. Hezbollah’s support for Palestinian factions and its growing military presence along Israel’s northern frontier has made the group a primary concern for Israeli defense planners.

With the situation still unfolding, both countries remain on high alert, and there are increasing concerns that any miscalculation could trigger a wider and more destructive conflict in the region.

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