The Israeli army airstrikes Hezbollah's weapons factory in the northern city of Baalbek, which is known as the group's stronghold.
According to an AFP reporter, the Israeli air force on March 24 attacked a Hezbollah facility in Baalbek that the group had abandoned for a while, injuring three residents living nearby. “Five Israeli missiles hit an inhabited two-story building in al-Osseira, on the outskirts of Baalbeck,” this person said.
Avichay Adraee, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), then announced that "Israeli fighter jets attacked Hezbollah's weapons production facility in Baalbek", but did not give further details.
Location of Baalbek city. Graphics: British
After the airstrike on Baalbek city, Hezbollah announced that it would use rocket artillery to launch more than 60 rockets at two IDF positions in retaliation. The IDF said they discovered about 50 projectiles, some were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense complex, the rest fell in open areas.
Baalbek, a city located in northern Lebanon, is known as a stronghold of Hezbollah. The IDF recently launched a campaign of attacks deeper and deeper into Lebanese territory targeting Hezbollah positions, escalating the risk of hostilities in the expanded area.
Cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel took place almost every day after the Hamas attack in early October 10. Hezbollah announced that it would only stop attacking Israel if there was a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict left at least 323 people dead in Lebanon, including 56 civilians. According to Israeli officials, at least 10 soldiers and 7 civilians in this country died. Fighting forced thousands of people in southern Lebanon and northern Israel to flee their homes.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned in February that a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip "will not impact Israel's goal of repelling Hezbollah by force or diplomatic means."
Israel's F-15 fighter during exercises in October 10. Image: IDF
Nguyễn Tiến (Follow AFP)
