At Least 10 Killed in Lebanon, Officials Say, After Israel Strikes Hezbollah

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by Abdi Latif Dahir and Hwaida Saad

February 21, 2026

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At least 10 people were killed and over 24 injured, including three children, in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The strikes, which occurred overnight and included attacks on command centers, have raised concerns about further destabilizing the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by the United States in late 2024. Hezbollah confirmed that eight of its members were among the dead, including a senior commander, Hussein Mohamed Yaghi. The attacks come amid heightened tensions as President Trump contemplates potential military action against Iran's nuclear program, with Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups seen as possible retaliatory targets. The strikes in the Baalbek area followed earlier Israeli airstrikes on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, which Israel claims was used as a Hamas command center. At least one person was killed and several others injured in those attacks, drawing condemnation from Lebanese officials and Hezbollah. President Aoun described the strikes as a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, while Hezbollah labeled them a "new act of aggression," signaling potential retaliation. The targeting of senior Hezbollah figures, including last November's assassination of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, whom Israel identified as the group's military chief of staff, underscores the ongoing conflict and the risks of escalation. The situation in Lebanon is highly sensitive, with the already tenuous ceasefire at risk of collapse. The attacks not only impact local stability but also have broader implications for regional security, particularly as U.S.-Iran tensions rise. Hezbollah's response to these strikes could further complicate an already volatile region, potentially drawing in additional actors and amplifying conflicts beyond Lebanon's borders. This development highlights the delicate balance of power dynamics and the potential for wider escalation in the Middle East.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/21/2026