Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas in Lebanon amid renewed cross-border attacks

By Nathan Morley

Israel’s military carried out a new wave of airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting what it said were Hezbollah positions, after issuing fresh evacuation warnings for residents of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

Earlier strikes killed at least four people, including Ali Qassem Ahmad, head of the Zellaya municipality, and three members of his family. 

The attack struck their home in Zellaya, in western Bekaa, wounding three others.

The Israeli military said it hit about 25 sites in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, describing them as structures used by Hezbollah for military purposes.

On Wednesday morning, Hezbollah launched an explosive drone toward Israel, which detonated near the border, according to the Israeli military. 

The group also fired drones and rockets at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, wounding two soldiers. Hezbollah said the attacks were retaliation for what it called Israeli violations of a fragile cease-fire that took effect last month.

Elsewhere, Syria’s Interior Ministry said it had foiled a major terrorist plot targeting senior government officials and dismantled a cell allegedly linked to Hezbollah. 

The ministry said simultaneous raids in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Tartous and Latakia led to the arrest of several suspects.