On February 21, 2026, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including eight members of Hezbollah, as confirmed by Lebanese authorities. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted command centers associated with Hezbollah's missile capabilities and Hamas-linked sites in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah's Mahmud Qamati condemned the strikes as a 'new massacre and a new aggression,' asserting, 'What options do we have left to defend ourselves and our country? What option do we have other than resistance?' This incident marks one of the deadliest escalations since the ceasefire established in November 2024, which aimed to halt ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The strikes also resulted in 24 injuries, including three children, highlighting the civilian impact of the military actions (The Frontier Post, Business Recorder, BBC News, Daily Times).