For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Breaking News email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
The Israeli military said its air force has been striking targets of the militant Hezbollah group "deep inside Lebanon", where residents reported explosions near the northeastern city of Baablek.
At least two people were killed in the strikes, a Hezbollah official said.
The strikes are among the deepest into Lebanon since Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza began more than four months ago. They come a day after Israel's defence minister, Yoav Gallant, vowed to step up attacks on Lebanon's Hezbollah even if a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Lebanese security officials said Israel's air force carried out three air strikes on the outskirts of the village of Buday, near Baalbek, targeting a convoy of trucks. Buday is a Hezbollah stronghold. There was no immediate word on casualties.
A Hezbollah official confirmed that three strikes hit near Baalbek. He said the strikes killed at least two people and that one hit a warehouse for food products that is part of Hezbollah's Sajjad Project that sells to people in its stronghold at prices lower than on the market.
RECOMMENDED
Kate Middleton health update from palace as Thomas Kingston dies – follow latest
Undo
Graham Norton quits show he’s presented since 2011
Undo
Eco Quote Today
No Joke: This Is How Much Solar Panels Actually CostEco Quote Today| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Clinic Compare
Doctors Surprised So Few Know This About Hair Transplants Abroad In 2024Clinic Compare| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
The air strikes near Baalbek came hours after Hezbollah said its fighters on Monday shot down an Israeli drone over its stronghold in a province in southern Lebanon. Another missile fired by Hezbollah towards the drone was intercepted by Israel, and landed near a synagogue in a town close to Nazareth in northern Israel. There were no injuries or damage.
The Israeli army said in a statement that its fighter jets struck sites used by Hezbollah in the eastern Bekaa Valley. It said they were in retaliation for Hezbollah's firing of a surface-to-air missile at the Israeli drone.
Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israeli troops along the border since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October.
Promoted stories
Invest In Your Family
Equity Release Calculator For British Homeowners Over 55 Invest In Your Family Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The strike on Baalbek, because of its location deep inside Lebanon, is the most significant one since the early January air strike on Beirut that killed top Hamas official Saleh Arouri. Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire with Israel throughout the war in Gaza, has said it will halt its nearly daily attacks on Israel if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
But Mr Gallant said on Sunday that anyone who thinks a temporary ceasefire for Gaza will also apply to the northern front is "mistaken".
Western diplomats have brought forward a series of proposals for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, most of which would hinge on Hezbollah moving its forces at least four miles away from the border.
This will come in addition to a beefed-up Lebanese army presence, and negotiations for Israeli forces to withdraw from disputed points along the border where Lebanon says Israel has been occupying small patches of Lebanese territory since it withdrew from the rest of country's south in 2000.
Hezbollah has signalled a willingness to entertain the proposals but has said there will be no deal in Lebanon before there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
Associated Press
More about Lebanon Israel Hezbollah
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
1Comments
1/ 1Israel’s military attacks Hezbollah targets ‘deep inside Lebanon’
Israel’s military attacks Hezbollah targets ‘deep inside Lebanon’
The Israeli military on the Israel-Lebanon border
AP
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in