Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Operatives in Lebanon and Syria

In a series of military operations on February 18, 2025, the Israeli Air Force targeted key Hezbollah operatives involved in smuggling weapons from Iran to Lebanon, highlighting ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The strikes took place in the al-Qusayr area of northern Lebanon, where Israel hit a “central terrorist” from Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, a group responsible for transporting and smuggling Iranian weapons.

According to the Israeli military, the operation was a response to repeated violations by Hezbollah, specifically their continued efforts to smuggle arms that pose a threat to Israeli security. The operative was targeted while allegedly planning further smuggling activities. The Israeli Air Force has been increasing airstrikes along the Syria-Lebanon border, focusing on sites that the IDF claims are linked to Hezbollah’s weapons infrastructure.

Lebanese national news agency NNA confirmed that an enemy drone had targeted a vehicle in the northeast of Lebanon, resulting in one death and one injury. This attack followed a similar operation on February 17, which killed two people in the eastern Lebanon Janta region.

Escalating Tensions and Violations of the Ceasefire

These recent strikes are part of an ongoing series of Israeli air raids aimed at countering Hezbollah’s actions in violation of the November 2024 ceasefire. The ceasefire, brokered between Israel and Lebanon, included provisions for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah to remove military infrastructure. Despite these agreements, Israel continues to accuse Hezbollah of undermining the truce with its weapon smuggling activities.

The IDF’s operations also extended to Syria, where strikes targeted military storage sites near Damascus. The military emphasized that the presence of Hezbollah and other hostile forces in southern Syria represents a direct threat to Israel’s security.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that the country’s air force has been carrying out strikes in southern Syria as part of a broader strategy to “pacify” the region. Katz stressed that Israel will not allow southern Syria to become another Hezbollah-controlled area like southern Lebanon, citing threats posed by Iran-backed groups.

“We will not endanger the security of our citizens,” Katz said, warning that any attempt by Syrian regime forces or terrorist organizations to establish themselves in southern Syria will be met with fire.

Continued Risks and the Call for Demilitarization

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining control over southern Syria and preventing the militarization of the region by hostile groups. Netanyahu has warned Syria’s new leadership against allowing troops to move into southern Syria, vowing that Israeli forces will remain in a buffer zone to safeguard national security.