Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon kill 12

At least 12 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday (February 20).

According to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA, more than 10 people died when a multi-story building in the city of Riyaq was hit, while rescue teams continue searching for survivors. Separate drone strikes in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Sidon killed at least two others.

The Israeli military said the strike in Baalbek targeted a Hezbollah “command center,” and Hezbollah confirmed that one of the dead was one of its military leaders.

Regarding the attack in Ain al-Hilweh, Israel claimed it destroyed a Hamas “command center,” a claim Hamas rejected, stating civilians were killed and no training facility existed in the camp.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry warned that casualties may rise as many injured remain hospitalised. The struck building, previously used by Palestinian security forces, was reportedly functioning as a kitchen for humanitarian food distribution at the time.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that since a ceasefire agreement in November 2024, Israeli forces have carried out over 10,000 air and ground attacks in Lebanon, posing a serious security threat to the region.

Following the attacks, the Lebanese government filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing Israel of regularly violating the ceasefire and occupying five Lebanese areas. Reconstruction of border villages destroyed in the strikes has been hindered, leaving thousands unable to return home.

A similar strike near the Syrian border last Sunday reportedly killed four people, whom Israel identified as members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).