The Lebanese health ministry has reported that at least 60 individuals have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Among those casualties are two children, with attacks affecting 12 different areas within the Baalbek region. Additionally, approximately 58 people sustained injuries, and rescue operations are still ongoing in this area known to be a stronghold of Hezbollah.

The Israeli military has not provided any statements regarding these incidents. Over the past five weeks, Israel has conducted numerous air strikes across Lebanon, asserting that it is targeting Hezbollah’s personnel, infrastructure, and weaponry. Baalbek’s governor, Bachie Khodr, labeled the recent attacks as the most severe seen in the region since Israel intensified its military actions against Hezbollah last month.

Social media platforms have circulated unverified video footage showing extensive damage to buildings and raging fires in forests while rescue teams continue their search for those injured. Earlier on Monday, strikes on the coastal city of Tyre resulted in seven fatalities and 17 injuries according to the Lebanese health ministry. Following these attacks, Israel issued a warning for civilians to evacuate from the city center.

On the same day, Hezbollah reported clashes with Israeli forces near Lebanon’s southern border and indicated that they launched rockets at an Israeli naval base located near Haifa. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated after the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets into northern Israel to express support for Palestinians on October 8, 2023, which came just a day after Hamas’s deadly assault on southern Israel.

Since these hostilities began, the Lebanese health ministry has documented over 2,600 deaths and more than 12,400 injuries within Lebanon. The ongoing violence reflects a significant deterioration in regional stability and a deepening humanitarian crisis as civilians bear the brunt of escalating military actions.