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Israeli fighter jets strike eastern, northern Lebanon

The Cradle | January 31, 2025

Israeli airstrikes targeted eastern and northern Lebanon early on 31 January, in continued violation of the ceasefire agreement that was recently extended and has seen Tel Aviv’s forces prolong their presence in the country.

Large explosions rocket the Lebanese-Syrian border area south of Lebanon’s eastern city of Baalbek during the early morning hours.

“Enemy warplanes raided the eastern chain (Al-Silsila al-Sharqiya) in the Bekaa,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported on Friday morning.

NNA also reported Israeli airstrikes on the Wadi Khaled area of northern Lebanon’s Akkar district. One raid hit a truck loaded with batteries and scrap metals in the Al-Wawiyat area, while another hit Jab al-Ward crossing on the outskirts of the town of Hanaider.

The Israeli army claimed in a statement that “fighter jets attacked during the night, under intelligence guidance from the Military Intelligence Directorate, several targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Bekaa region in Lebanon that posed a threat to the Israeli home front and [military] forces.”

“Among the targets attacked: a military site with underground infrastructure for the development and production of weapons and transit infrastructure on the Syrian-Lebanon border through which the Hezbollah terrorist organization is trying to transfer weapons,” the statement added.

Israeli drones had struck three vehicles in the southern Lebanese town of Taybeh on 30 January.

The Israeli army said earlier on Thursday that it intercepted a Hezbollah reconnaissance drone launched towards its territory.

Tel Aviv has stepped up its violations of the ceasefire while claiming to be acting in accordance with the agreement. Earlier this week, it launched violent airstrikes on the southern city of Nabatieh, injuring at least 30 people.

It also continues to attack displaced southern residents who began returning to their villages on 26 January, upon the expiration of the ceasefire implementation period, which has been extended until 18 February. Over two dozen Lebanese citizens in the south have been killed by Israeli troops.

Israel refused to withdraw from south Lebanon as was required during the 60-day period, which was also meant to see the Lebanese army dismantle Hezbollah’s presence and infrastructure south of the Litani River. The implementation period was extended due to Israeli pressure on Washington.

Israel accuses the returning Lebanese residents of being “Hezbollah activists” and “rioters.” It also claims that the LAF did not fulfill its commitments in the agreement, claiming that Hezbollah is still present south of the Litani River.

An Israeli military official told the Ynet news site on 29 January that Israel will not withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon until it deems that the Lebanese army has fulfilled its commitments in the ceasefire agreement.

January 31, 2025 - Posted by aletho | Illegal Occupation, War Crimes | Israel, Lebanon