In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israeli airstrikes have targeted multiple regions across Lebanon for the first time in the ongoing war, after it had announced it was carrying out “extensive” operations in south Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

This wave of attacks marks the third consecutive day of intensified Israeli air assaults on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. 

Since this morning, Israeli Air Force fighter jets have struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the Israeli army said. 

The strikes hit areas near key oil facilities in Zahrani, south of Sidon, and several towns in the Chouf district, including Sarafand, Zrariyeh, and Joun. Additionally, airstrikes reached the mountains of Nahr Ibrahim in the Maaysra area of the Jbeil district.

Israeli warplanes also bombed towns in the Bekaa Valley, including Nabi Sheet, Britel, Hermel, Sariin, Baalbek, Nahle, Labweh, Douris, Hazrata, and Taalabaya, while breaking the sound barrier over several regions, sending shockwaves across southern and eastern Lebanon.

civilians were killed in an airstrike on the town of Bazouriyeh, and three others in a strike on Qabriha, both in southern Lebanon. According to Al Arabiya, an Israeli raid on Bint Jbeil left five more civilians dead. Additional airstrikes targeted the towns of Tayr Debba, the outskirts of Abbassiyeh, and Tura in the Tyre district, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.

Israeli warplanes and drones also carried out strikes on Baalbek and surrounding villages, from midnight until early morning. The Israeli military advised residents of Lebanese border villages not to return to their homes as airstrikes would continue. Baalbek and its surrounding areas, including the roads leading to Nahle and Douris, were particularly hard hit, with airstrikes reaching as far as Janta, Nabi Sheet, Sariin Plain, Britel, Taybeh, Khodr, Jamaliyeh, and Labweh.

The bombardment continued overnight, with reconnaissance and drone aircraft flying over the western and central sectors, extending to the outskirts of Tyre. Israeli forces also launched flares and dropped incendiary bombs on forests near the Blue Line.

Lebanon's Health Ministry issued an initial toll saying 10 people were killed in today's strikes.