Israel attack on eight Hezbollah bases. Tension is growing in the Middle East

The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it had attacked eight Hezbollah military bases located in eastern Lebanon. A teenager was killed and one person was injured in the attacks, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said. Tension is growing in the Middle East between the US and Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah.

The attacked targets were located in the Bekaa Valley and belonged to Hezbollah's special unit, the Radwan group, the Israeli military said in a statement. It added that the bases were used to store weapons and missiles, as well as to train fighters preparing for terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Israel conducts regular attacks on targets in Lebanon, claiming that it is attacking Hezbollah, which is rebuilding its strength. The Shiite group once controlled the south of the country and had a significant missile arsenal, but was severely weakened in the final war with Israel in 2024.

Israeli attacks have increased in recent weeks. According to the Israeli press, the aim of the airstrikes is to further reduce Hezbollah's capabilities before the possible outbreak of war between the US and Iran.

On Wednesday, a Hezbollah official told AFP the group would not respond to a “limited” US intervention in Iran but would respond to greater aggression.

The media reported earlier that Hezbollah was rebuilding its potential, arming itself for the coming war and would join it by attacking Israel. The Saudi station Al-Arabiyya reported that the actual command of Hezbollah was taken over by officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Israel allegedly warned the authorities in Beirut that in the event of a Hezbollah attack, it would respond with heavy strikes on Lebanon, including civilian infrastructure. Israel is one of the United States' most important allies in the Middle East.

The US has been strengthening its forces in the Middle East for weeks and has gathered there the largest force since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with an attack if the ruling regime does not agree to concessions, including: on nuclear issues. Another round of talks on the nuclear agreement between Washington and Tehran takes place in Geneva on Thursday. For now, there is no information about any breakthrough. (PAP)

adj/ap/