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Israeli airstrikes claim lives of 12 in Lebanon amidst rising tensions

Feb 20, 2026, 10:53 PM10
(Update: Feb 20, 2026, 10:53 PM)
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Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group

Israeli airstrikes claim lives of 12 in Lebanon amidst rising tensions

  • At least 12 individuals have been killed in recent Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, primarily in the Bekaa Valley and a Palestinian refugee camp.
  • Hezbollah confirmed that senior leader Hussein Yaghi was among those killed, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday.
  • These strikes risk jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has been strained due to ongoing military actions.
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In recent weeks, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties, marking one of the deadliest incidents reported in the eastern region. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 12 individuals have lost their lives due to these strikes, which occurred primarily in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and a Palestinian refugee camp. Among the deceased is senior Hezbollah leader Hussein Yaghi, whose funeral has been scheduled for Saturday by Hezbollah media. The strikes have also left 24 others injured, including three children. Earlier attacks on Friday saw Israeli military operations targeting the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon, leading to the death of two people. These acts of aggression have raised serious concerns over the potential disruption of a US-brokered ceasefire that has been in place since November 2024, following extensive conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border. Accusations of ceasefire violations have continued to escalate in this volatile terrain. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) justified their actions by stating that the strikes targeted Hezbollah command centers and a Hamas operational center, claiming that these sites were used to plan and execute attacks against its troops. The IDF described the military sites struck as housing weapons and funds utilized by Hezbollah, portraying their operations as necessary defensive measures against ongoing threats. Strikes have consistently targeted Hezbollah weapon depots and missile launchers as part of Israel's ongoing military campaign against the group, which Israel accuses of attempting to bolster its military capabilities in violation of the ceasefire agreements. Since late October 2023, when Hezbollah began its attacks against Israel following the onset of the Gaza conflict, the region has been on edge with increased military activities. Israeli strikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 400 Hezbollah operatives, and more than 1,200 military actions have been carried out in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire was established.

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