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Lebanon.. Israel Launches Severe Attack on Baalbek
In a serious escalation threatening the security and stability of the region, Israel intensified its airstrikes on Lebanese Baalbek, which observers considered to be the most intense since the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel was signed last November. This development comes amid increasing expectations of a potential American role in the disarmament of Hezbollah, as part of broader regional arrangements.
The Al-Hermel area in eastern Lebanon was the scene of the largest Israeli military operation since the ceasefire, with the airstrikes resulting in the death of five people and injuries to others, targeting Hezbollah camps, including the "Radhwan Force" camps designated for training group members for operations against Israel.
In response to the escalation, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, describing them as a violation of the agreement. Meanwhile, American reactions were limited to unofficial statements, reflecting the growing political and diplomatic pressure on the region.
The name of U.S. President Donald Trump has re-emerged in the discussion about Hezbollah's disarmament, following his statements warning of a potential response if the party does not surrender, without specifying the nature or timing of such a response.
Observers are questioning whether the reaction will be limited to political and media pressure or if it will extend to imposing a deadline on the Lebanese government to implement exclusive measures regarding the party's arsenal.
Amid increasing Western pressure on Lebanon to avoid a full-scale military escalation, Israel has called on the Trump administration to support its plans to deliver strong strikes against Hezbollah in the south and Baalbek, based on intelligence estimates confirming the party still possesses a large arsenal of rockets and drones, despite its declining logistical capabilities and efforts to rebuild its strength.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s stance on Hezbollah’s disarmament remains ambiguous, with a clear tendency to avoid direct confrontation, while the international community closely watches the deadline set by the U.S. envoy, which ends at the end of the year, for monitoring Hezbollah's weapons restrictions.
