Tensions flare again in southern Lebanon as Israel kills one person in a fresh air raid and the Bekaa Valley struggles to recover from months of bombardment — raising fears that the fragile ceasefire may be slipping away.
Israeli Air Strike Hits Southern Lebanon
An Israeli air strike on southern Lebanon has killed one person and injured another, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed on Wednesday. The ministry described the incident as an “Israeli enemy raid” targeting a car in Burj Rahal, a small town in the Tyre district.
“The attack resulted in the martyrdom of one citizen and the injury of another,” the statement said, without releasing the victims’ identities.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the strike took place near a local school, sparking panic among students and forcing parents to rush to the scene. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of fear, as the community once again faced the realities of life under threat.
Ceasefire Under Growing Strain
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the latest attack, which comes despite a ceasefire agreement signed on November 27, 2024. Israeli forces remain deployed across at least five areas of southern Lebanon and continue to conduct near-daily air raids.
On Monday, two people were killed and seven others injured in separate attacks. A day earlier, Israeli air strikes in Nabatieh claimed four more lives, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Inside Lebanon, the continued escalation is heightening fears of a new full-scale war. Both Israeli and U.S. officials have urged the Lebanese government to pressure Hezbollah to disarm, but tensions between political and militant factions remain entrenched.
Hezbollah’s Position and Israeli Pressure
In recent statements, Israeli military intelligence accused Hezbollah of rebuilding its military strength, though the group denied the claims, calling them “fabrications” designed to justify continued Israeli attacks.
“Hezbollah was severely weakened after last year’s escalation,” said a political analyst in Beirut, referring to the September 2024 Israeli campaign that killed the group’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Since the November ceasefire, Hezbollah has responded militarily only once, choosing restraint even as Israeli strikes persist. Still, the group has refused to disarm, arguing that doing so would leave southern Lebanon exposed to further Israeli incursions.
Bekaa Valley Still Feels the War’s Aftershocks
Nearly a year after Israel’s wide-scale bombing campaign, the Bekaa Valley — Lebanon’s eastern heartland — remains scarred.
In Baalbek, a city famous for its ancient Roman ruins and deep Hezbollah roots, Israeli strikes continue to hit what the military calls Hezbollah’s “logistical and operational bases.” Yet, many civilians have suffered as collateral damage.
“What is happening now isn’t short of a war — it is a war,” said Abu Ali, a Baalbek resident. Another local, Ali Chokair, told Al Jazeera: “There’s constant talk about new attacks on Baalbek, and it’s scaring people away.”
Large parts of the Bekaa region remain in ruins, with reconstruction slow and economic hardship deepening in one of Lebanon’s poorest areas.
Lebanon Faces Pressure to Negotiate
As the violence continues, Israel and the United States are pressing Lebanon to negotiate Hezbollah’s disarmament. U.S. ambassador Tom Barrack has urged “immediate dialogue” between Beirut and Tel Aviv, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the army would “act as necessary” if Lebanon fails to ensure Hezbollah hands over its weapons.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged the mounting pressure, saying Lebanon has “no choice but to negotiate” to prevent a wider conflict. But in regions like Baalbek and the south, many oppose any deal that could weaken Hezbollah’s military wing.
“We would support any negotiation that works for the benefit of the resistance,” said Hussein Osman, a restaurant owner in Baalbek. “But any negotiation that involves disarming the resistance is not accepted. These weapons protect us and allow us to stay in our homes.”
Conclusion: Fragile Peace, Uncertain Future
As Israel’s attacks intensify and Lebanon struggles under growing pressure, fears of a renewed war loom large. With the ceasefire faltering and civilians caught in the crossfire, the region once again stands at a dangerous crossroads — between fragile peace and open conflict.