After one of the strikes, a huge column of black smoke rose in the air
* Posted 10 minutes ago
Israel has launched heavy air strikes on the historic city of Baalbek, located in the eastern Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. This comes after tens and thousands of residents fled the area in response to Israeli military evacuation orders.
Mayor Mustafa al Shell told the BBC more than 20 attacks were reported in Baalbek, five of which occurred within the city, where an ancient Roman temple complex is listed by Unesco.
The state news agency of Lebanon reported that diesel tanks were also damaged in the nearby town of Douris. Mr Shell claimed that pictures showed a huge black smoke column rising into the sky.
The Israeli military claimed it had struck fuel depots owned by Hezbollah, in the Bekaa valley, without providing details.
Hezbollah’s new secretary general said that the group would continue to wage war against Israel under his leadership, and would not “cry” for a truce.
Naim Qassem, speaking a day after the announcement of his appointment, said that he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah who was killed by an Israeli air strike on Beirut last month.
Qassem delivered the speech in an undisclosed place amid reports that he fled to Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter.
* Posted 19 hours ago
* Published 1 Day Ago
Published 1 day ago
After weeks of an aerial offensive that has devasted large parts of southern Lebanon, including Beirut’s south suburbs, it appears the Israeli military is expanding its campaign against Hezbollah to the east of the nation – another place where the group has strong presence and support.
Baalbek, a major population centre in the Bekaa valley, is located near the border of Syria. It is a rural area, and one of the poorest in Lebanon.
Hezbollah established part of its infrastructure in Lebanon and recruited fighters there.
Hezbollah also considers the area to be strategically important, as it forms part of a route that connects them to their allies in Syria, Iraq, and ultimately Iran.
The Israeli military issued an evacuation order for Baalbek, as well as the nearby towns of Ain Bourday, and Douris on Wednesday morning. They warned that they would “act with force against Hezbollah’s interests”.
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