Lebanon says Israeli airstrikes kill 12 amid escalating tensions
BEIRUT - At least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, Lebanese state media reported on Tuesday, as fears mounted of a further escalation between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The attacks late Monday in the Bekaa Valley in south-east Lebanon left others injured, the state news agency NNA reported without giving an exact number.
Asked for comment, the Israeli military said it was checking the reports. Hezbollah initially did not comment.
Further strikes were reported overnight and into Tuesday morning, mainly in southern Lebanon, according to NNA. Local media reported dozens of attacks across several areas in the south of the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday evening that he would step up attacks against Hezbollah.
Numerous residents from the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut left their homes during the night out of fear of Israeli attacks. Hezbollah has a strong presence in that area.
Israeli attacks had already intensified significantly on Monday, according to a tally by Lebanese news site L’Orient Today. Israeli warplanes carried out 76 airstrikes on 44 targets across Lebanon, while another 15 drone strikes and artillery attacks targeted 25 locations, the report said.
Conflict tied to Iran war
In mid-March, shortly after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah attacked Israel, and Israel retaliated. In mid-April, the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreed to a ceasefire. The Lebanese government is not a party to the conflict and Hezbollah did not sign the agreement.
The Iran-backed Shiite militia rejects negotiations with Israel. Since the ceasefire, attacks have continued from both sides. In Lebanon, almost 3,200 deaths have been reported since early March.
Observers fear that a further intensification of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could also make it harder to conclude the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran on ending the war.
Tehran insists that the proposed framework agreement must cover both the war with the U.S. and Israel and Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.
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