Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Bekaa Valley and Ain al‑Hilweh — Lebanese Agencies Say 12 Killed, Reuters Cites 10; Tehran Condemns '40 Dead or Wounded'

Israeli air- and drone-strikes on Feb. 20 hit multiple sites across eastern and southern Lebanon, most notably in the Bekaa Valley’s Baalbek/Riyaq area and the Ein al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon.

“At least 12 people were killed and more than 30 injured, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency, after a new Israeli violation saw airstrikes hit Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire”

5Pillars

Lebanese state media and local health officials reported at least 12 people killed and dozens wounded as rescuers searched rubble after a multi-storey building in Riyaq collapsed.

5Pillars

Other accounts put the toll slightly lower.

Israel said it had targeted Hezbollah "command centers" in Baalbek and a Hamas "command center" in Ain al-Hilweh.

The strikes broke the fragile November 2024 ceasefire and prompted urgent UN and Lebanese complaints to the Security Council.

The strike on the Baalbek/Riyaq area heavily damaged a multi-storey apartment building.

Initial local tallies said more than 10 dead and about 30 wounded as search teams pulled survivors from rubble.

Al Jazeera

Israel described the target as Hezbollah "command centers."

Several outlets reported that a Hezbollah military leader was among the dead.

5Pillars named the figure as Hussein Mohammad Yaghi, described him as "son of former MP Mohammad Yaghi," and said security sources confirmed his death.

Cyprus Mail quoted Israeli claims that the strikes "eliminated several terrorists" from a missile array.

The Ein al‑Hilweh strike near Sidon drew conflicting accounts.

“At least ten people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, two security sources told Reuters, after the Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in the Baalbek area”

Cyprus Mail

Lebanese outlets and humanitarian reporting say an Israeli drone hit the camp’s Hittin neighbourhood, killing at least two and badly damaging a building used to distribute food.

Israel asserted it struck a Hamas 'command center'.

Hamas denied Israel’s characterization, and several sources said the building had been used by joint Palestinian security forces or as a food‑aid kitchen, calling the Israeli account false or a 'fabrication'.

The strikes have been widely framed as a breach of the U.S.-brokered November 2024 ceasefire and have prompted renewed diplomatic activity.

The UN and rights bodies are cited across outlets as noting more than 10,000 Israeli air and ground attacks since the ceasefire.

HUM News - English

The rights office has "verified at least 108 civilian casualties."

Lebanon has formally complained to the UN Security Council and accused Israel of holding five Lebanese territories that hinder reconstruction and returns.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman called the raids a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, blamed the ceasefire guarantors and urged UN action.

Tehran Times summarised "overall reports" as putting dead or wounded at "more than 40."

Coverage diverges on the implications beyond immediate casualties and damage.

“Sunny Saturday, February 21, 2026 At least 12 people were martyred and around 25 others wounded on Friday evening after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple areas in Lebanon’s eastern Beqaa region, amid escalating cross-border tensions”

İlke Haber Ajansı

Reuters-citing Cyprus Mail stressed the risk to the US-brokered ceasefire.

İlke Haber Ajansı

HUM News and Views Bangladesh emphasised the humanitarian toll, including displaced families, damaged aid infrastructure and hampered reconstruction.

5Pillars and SOFX highlighted specific militant losses and named figures.

All accounts note ongoing searches for survivors and hospital treatment for the wounded.

Several reported a related earlier strike near the Syrian border that killed four.