Israel bombed again the Beeka Valley, an important Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon

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Israel Bombs Bekaa Valley in Lebanon Following Attack by Hezbollah

Clouds of smoke rise from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon as Israel bombed the region once again this Wednesday. The attack, which occurred far from the border between the two countries, came just hours after a missile strike by the Shiite group Hezbollah caused at least 16 injuries in northern Israel.

According to reports, three missiles struck a building in the residential area of Iaat, a town located just a few kilometers from the tourist city of Baalbek, known for its Greco-Roman ruins designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The National News Agency (ANN) confirmed the strike, while Al Manar television, a mouthpiece for Hezbollah, also reported the attack.

The Bekaa Valley is a significant stronghold for the Shiite movement and has been a frequent target of Israeli airstrikes in recent months. Despite most clashes occurring near the border, Israel continues to target areas deep within Lebanese territory.

The latest escalation follows Hezbollah’s attack on an Israeli facility in Arab al Aramsheh earlier on Wednesday. The attack, involving missiles and drones, resulted in injuries to 18 people, including 14 soldiers. This marks one of the highest casualty incidents since border clashes began over six months ago.

The ongoing crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah coincides with heightened regional tensions, particularly after Iran’s recent drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory. The violence has resulted in hundreds of casualties and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

As the conflict drags on, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and the organization’s special coordinator in the country have urged both parties to seek a diplomatic solution. They emphasized the need to adhere to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to engage in tit-for-tat attacks, raising concerns about further escalation and the impact on civilian populations. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region as efforts to de-escalate the conflict intensify.

(With information from AFP and EFE)