BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes Tuesday targeting wide areas in eastern Lebanon, hitting positions belonging to Lebanon's Hezbollah group.
The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that "hostile warplanes launched several air raids on the eastern mountain range and the outskirts of the towns of Shmustar, Wadi Umm Ali, Bodai, the villages of Nabi Chit and Taraya, which are part of the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon."
A source in the Lebanese army intelligence and eyewitnesses from southern regions told Xinhua that "Israeli warplanes conducted eight airstrikes in less than five minutes on areas in eastern Lebanon."
They said, "The raids targeted Hezbollah sites that had previously been subjected to similar airstrikes."
The Israeli military announced Tuesday that it launched a wave of airstrikes in eastern Lebanon targeting sites linked to Hezbollah's Radwan Force, saying the strikes were aimed at preventing the elite force from restoring its attack capabilities.
It said in a statement that warplanes carried out "numerous strikes" toward Hezbollah targets in the area of Beqaa, hitting military compounds allegedly used by the group for training and exercises. The facilities included areas used for weapons training and live-fire drills, the statement said.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were "a clear message" to both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, accusing Hezbollah of attempting to restore the Radwan Force's ability to launch cross-border raids.
A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect in Lebanon since November 27, 2024, following more than a year of clashes related to the war in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the agreement, which stipulated a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by a deadline that expired on February 18, Israel continues to occupy five positions in the south. It regularly carries out airstrikes in both southern and eastern areas of the country, claiming they are aimed at eliminating "threats" posed by Hezbollah. ■
