Latest news with #BekaaValley
LBCI
an hour ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Israeli army strikes 'Hezbollah targets' in South Lebanon and Bekaa Valley
The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting 'Hezbollah positions' in South Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, according to a statement by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee. In a post on X, Adraee said the strikes hit infrastructure used for the production and storage of strategic weaponry. Among the targets, he noted, were a facility producing explosives used in the development of Hezbollah's weapon systems, and an underground site for manufacturing and storing rockets and other strategic munitions. "Hezbollah is attempting to restore and rehabilitate the sites as a violation of previous understandings between Lebanon and Israel," he claimed. Adraee emphasized that the Israeli military will continue operations "to protect Israel."
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Says it Struck Hezbollah Missile Factory in Lebanon
Israel said it carried out strikes on Thursday on sites used by Hezbollah to manufacture and store missiles in Lebanon, where Israel has launched multiple attacks despite a November ceasefire. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the targets included "Hezbollah's biggest precision missile manufacturing site,' and the military said it had hit "infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons" in south Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley. The attacks came after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stepped up his calls for Hezbollah to disarm, suggesting failure to do so would give Israel an excuse to continue attacks and saying the issue would be on the agenda of a cabinet meeting next week. The comments reflect mounting pressure over the issue of Hezbollah's arms, which has loomed over Lebanon since the Iran-aligned group was pummeled in a war with Israel last year. Washington wants Hezbollah disarmed - a demand echoed by the Beirut government as it aims to establish a monopoly on weapons. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Wednesday that calls for its disarmament served only Israel. In a speech to army officers, Aoun said the government would next week discuss Lebanon's amendments to a US roadmap to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's counter proposal demands an immediate halt to Israel's attacks, its withdrawal from positions held in the south, the establishment of state control over all Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups including Hezbollah, he said. Aoun urged all parties "to seize this historic opportunity ... and push for the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army and security forces.' He said the government would set a timeframe to implement the steps.
The National
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel resumes bombing Lebanon with attack on Hezbollah 'explosives factories'
Israel launched new strikes on Lebanon on Thursday on what it said were Hezbollah explosives factories, in the latest breach of a ceasefire. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the targets included Hezbollah's "biggest precision missile manufacturing site". The army said it had hit weapons production and storage sites in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon's National News Agency said Israeli warplanes were flying low over the town of Hermel. It said the strikes also hit the areas of Mahmoudiyeh, Al Khardali and Jarmaq. Israel's air force also attacked an eastern mountain range between the towns of Khreibeh and Brital, the agency said. Israel said Hezbollah had "tried to rehabilitate the sites and capabilities, actions that constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon". "Among the targets struck were explosive manufacturing sites, which were used to develop Hezbollah's weaponry, as well as an underground site for the production and storage of strategic weapons," the Israeli military said. Under the terms of a ceasefire deal agreed with Israel last November, Hezbollah was supposed to dismantle its infrastructure and withdraw its fighters in the border region in southern Lebanon. Israel was obliged to withdraw from the five points of Lebanese territory it occupied but has failed to do so and continues to bomb the south regularly. Lebanon has accused Israel of breaching the deal thousands of times. Lebanon's government is under pressure from the US to move ahead with disarming Hezbollah. Speaking on Thursday, President Joseph Aoun said there was a "historic opportunity" to "affirm the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the army and security forces". He added that the country would seek $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and security forces. Lebanon's army has often had to rely on international donors such as the US, Qatar and the UK for equipment and salary support.
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israel says struck Hezbollah missile factory in Lebanon
Israel said it carried out strikes on Thursday on sites used by Hezbollah to manufacture and store missiles in Lebanon, where Israel has launched multiple attacks despite a November ceasefire. Defense Minister Israel Katz said targets included 'Hezbollah's biggest precision missile manufacturing site,' and the military said it had hit 'infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons' in south Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley. 'Any attempt by the terrorist organization to recover, re-establish or threaten will be met with relentless intensity,' he vowed. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency also reported strikes in the Bekaa and the south. Both Katz and the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild its military infrastructure and demanded that the Lebanese army move to disarm the militant group. 'Among the targets struck were explosive manufacturing sites, which were used to develop Hezbollah's weaponry, as well as an underground site for the production and storage of strategic weapons,' the military said. 'The Hezbollah terrorist organization tried to rehabilitate the sites and capabilities, actions that constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,' it alleged. Earlier, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had said that his country was determined to disarm Hezbollah, a step it has come under heavy US pressure to take, despite the group's protests that doing so would serve Israeli goals. Hezbollah and Israel fought a two-month war last year that left the militant group badly weakened, though it retains part of its arsenal.
The National
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel resumes bombing of Lebanon with attack on Hezbollah 'explosives factories'
Israel launched new strikes on Lebanon on Thursday against what it said were Hezbollah explosives factories, in the latest breach of a ceasefire. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the targets included Hezbollah's "biggest precision missile manufacturing site". The army said it had hit weapons production and storage sites in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon's National News Agency said Israeli warplanes were flying low over the town of Hermel. It said the strikes also hit the areas of Mahmoudiyeh, Al Khardali and Jarmaq. Israel's air force also attacked an eastern mountain range between the towns of Khreibeh and Brital, the agency said. Israel said Hezbollah had "tried to rehabilitate the sites and capabilities, actions that constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon". "Among the targets struck were explosive manufacturing sites, which were used to develop Hezbollah's weaponry, as well as an underground site for the production and storage of strategic weapons," the Israeli military said. Under the terms of a ceasefire deal agreed with Israel last November, Hezbollah was supposed to dismantle its infrastructure and withdraw its fighters in the border region in southern Lebanon. Israel was supposed to withdraw from the five points of Lebanese territory it occupied, but has failed to do so and continues to regularly bomb the south. Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the deal thousands of times. Lebanon's government is under pressure from the US to move ahead with disarming Hezbollah. Speaking on Thursday, President Joseph Aoun said there was a "historic opportunity" to "affirm the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the army and security forces". He added that the country would seek $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and security forces. Lebanon's army has often had to rely on international donors such as the US, Qatar and the UK for equipment and salary support.
