AFP
A massive column of black smoke rose into the sky after a strike in the Baalbek area
Israel conducted extensive air strikes in Baalbek, a historic city in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate following orders from the Israeli military.
Mayor Mustafa al-Shell informed the BBC that over 20 strikes were carried out in the Baalbek area, including five within the city itself, which houses an ancient Roman temple complex listed by Unesco.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported that fuel tanks were also targeted in the nearby town of Douris, where Mr. Shell observed a large black smoke column rising into the air.
The Israeli military stated that it hit fuel depots owned by Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley, without providing specific details.
The strikes occurred as Hezbollah’s new secretary-general announced that the group would continue its military actions against Israel under his leadership, without seeking a ceasefire.
Naim Qassem, speaking a day after his appointment, stated that he would follow the strategy of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut the previous month.
Qassem delivered his speech from an undisclosed location amid reports suggesting he had fled to Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter.
Following weeks of airstrikes causing devastation in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs, the Israeli military is expanding its operation against Hezbollah in the eastern region of the country, where the group has significant influence.
Baalbek, a major city in the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border, is a crucial area for Hezbollah, which has established infrastructure and recruited fighters there.
The region is strategically important for Hezbollah as it connects the group to allies in Syria and Iraq, and ultimately to Iran.
On Wednesday morning, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for Baalbek, Ain Bourday, and Douris, warning of strong action against Hezbollah targets.
Roula Zeaiter, from the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering, described the panic among residents, including displaced families, following the orders.
Videos online showed heavy traffic as people left the city.
AFP
Over 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon
Mayor Mustafa al-Shell estimated that around 50,000 people fled within two hours, while others chose to stay for various reasons.
He mentioned that the initial strikes hit villas and residential buildings in Baalbek, but clarified that there were no ammunition or weapons stores in the city.
The National News Agency reported strikes in various areas around Baalbek, Ain Bourday, and Douris, with no immediate reports of casualties.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted fuel depots used by Hezbollah’s logistics unit in the Bekaa Valley, crucial for the group’s military operations.
Getty Images
Recent Israeli strikes destroyed buildings near the Gouraud Barracks area of Baalbek, close to the city’s Roman ruins
Mr. Shell confirmed that the strikes did not hit Baalbek’s Unesco World Heritage site, which includes well-preserved Roman temples dating back to the 1st Century AD.
He expressed concerns about the safety of these historic sites and urged international bodies to protect them.
Unesco warned that World Heritage sites in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, were at risk and called for their protection.
In response to the strikes in Baalbek, the US urged Israel to avoid harming civilians and critical infrastructure, while working towards a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and Gaza.
US mediators were reportedly proposing a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to implement UN Security Council resolution 1701, which aims to maintain peace in the region.
Israel initiated actions against Hezbollah following cross-border conflicts triggered by events in Gaza, resulting in casualties and displacement on both sides.
The situation has led to a significant loss of life and displacement in Lebanon and Israel, with efforts underway to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.