Israel says it hit Hezbollah sites in eastern Lebanon
Deutsche Welle
February 21, 2026
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Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, targeting Hezbollah command centers and killing at least 10 people, including a senior Hezbollah official. The strikes, among the deadliest in recent weeks, also hit a Hamas command center in southern Lebanon, where two militants were reported killed. Hezbollah condemned the attacks as violations of a ceasefire brokered by the US last November, while Hamas denied Israel's claim that its target was a command center, calling it a "flimsy pretext."
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, has long been a focal point of regional tensions. The strikes come amid ongoing efforts by Lebanon's government to disarm the group, though progress has been criticized as insufficient by Israel. Hezbollah's influence remains significant, and its support for Hamas during recent conflicts with Israel has further complicated the region's already fragile局势.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in September 2024 after Hamas launched attacks from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes and shelling. The US-brokered ceasefire in November 2024 brought some calm but did little to resolve underlying tensions. Both Hezbollah and Hamas have rejected Israel's allegations of targeting command centers, with Hamas claiming the strike on its alleged headquarters was aimed at a security force in a Palestinian refugee camp.
The situation highlights the ongoing instability in the Middle East and the challenges faced by international diplomacy in resolving these conflicts. civilians caught in the crossfire continue to suffer, while the Lebanese government struggles to balance its commitment to disarming Hezbollah with the reality of the group's enduring power. The strikes underscore Israel's determination to counter what it sees as threats from both Hezbollah and Hamas, despite efforts to maintain a fragile peace.
This conflict matters globally because it underscores the delicate security dynamics in the Middle East, where regional groups like Hezbollah and Hamas maintain significant influence. The situation in Lebanon reflects broader tensions between Iran-backed groups and Israel, as well as the complexities of international involvement in resolving these disputes.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/21/2026