Israel Attacks Lebanon, 12 Killed

Israeli strikes across eastern and southern Lebanon killed 12 people in a single day. The Israeli military said the attacks targeted the militant group Hezbollah and its Palestinian ally, Hamas.

According to AFP on Saturday (21/2/2026), a statement from Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon said that a “commander” from the Iran-backed group had been killed in the Bekaa Valley strike.

The Israeli military continues to carry out regular strikes on Lebanon despite the November 2024 ceasefire intended to end more than a year of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel claims the attacks target Hezbollah, though they sometimes also strike Hamas militants.

“Israeli enemy strikes at several locations in the Bekaa Valley killed 10 people and wounded 24,” the Lebanese Health Ministry said, adding that three children were among those injured in the Friday (20/2) attacks local time.

The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) had earlier reported six dead and 25 wounded following “heavy strikes” in the area.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it had struck a “Hezbollah command centre”.

The strikes came hours after an Israeli attack on the country’s largest Palestinian refugee camp. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the Friday (20/2) strike killed two people, with the Israeli army saying it had targeted Hamas.

The Israeli military said in a statement that its forces “struck a Hamas command centre where militants were operating” in the Ain al-Helweh area.

“The Israeli military is operating against the strengthening” of the Palestinian militant group in Lebanon and “will continue to act decisively against Hamas wherever they operate,” it added.

Hamas condemned the attack in a statement, saying it had caused “civilian” casualties.

The group rejected Israel’s claims, stating that the targeted building “belonged to joint security forces tasked with maintaining security and stability in the camp”.