Israeli Airstrike Hits Hezbollah Arms Depot in Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike on Monday evening targeted a Hezbollah arms depot located in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, according to a statement from the Israeli military. The airstrike, which specifically targeted Hezbollah’s weapons storage facilities, resulted in significant secondary explosions, indicating the presence of a substantial amount of weaponry at the site.

While there were no fatalities, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that eight individuals were injured in the strike. Among the injured were six Lebanese citizens and two Syrian children, highlighting the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians in the region.

The Israeli military confirmed that its air force conducted the strike, emphasizing that the targeted facilities contained large quantities of weapons. This strike followed earlier Israeli attacks in the southern Lebanese areas of Deir Qanoun and Tayibe, where the Israeli military claimed to have targeted senior members of Hezbollah’s Rocket and Missile Unit as well as a cell operating from a Hezbollah military structure.

In response to the depot strike, the Lebanese Agricultural Scientific Research Authority announced the closure of its research stations in the Bekaa region as a precautionary measure. The decision was made after unexploded missiles were found near the research stations, posing a significant risk to the safety of personnel and operations.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced its “support front” with Palestinians. This declaration came shortly after Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah, launched a deadly attack on southern Israeli border communities on October 7, triggering a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to a toll compiled by Reuters, some 622 people in Lebanon have been killed since the clashes began last year, including 416 Hezbollah fighters and 132 civilians. The situation has also caused widespread destruction and displacement in Lebanon, with many civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict.

This latest airstrike is reminiscent of other recent Israeli military actions against Hezbollah. For instance, in July, Israeli strikes targeted another depot storing ammunition belonging to the Iranian-backed group in the town of Adloun in southern Lebanon, as reported by three security sources. The ongoing exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah continue to destabilize the region, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation.