Israeli drone strike kills one in Baalbek car attack

A deadly Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in the Lebanese town of Kfardan, west of Baalbek, on Thursday, killing one person, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV. The attack marks a significant shift in Israel’s airstrike campaign, expanding beyond southern Lebanon for the second time this week.

Growing Military Activity in Baalbek

This latest incident follows a similar drone strike on Tuesday in Brital, also in the Baalbek area, which came shortly after Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a provocative speech. That attack occurred just hours after Lebanon’s cabinet held a landmark session and moved forward with plans to implement a timeline for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

The Israeli military stated that the Tuesday strike had targeted a Hezbollah operative believed to be orchestrating militant operations in neighboring Syria—highlighting Tel Aviv’s continued focus on disrupting Hezbollah’s regional influence.

Cabinet Under Pressure Over Hezbollah’s Weapons

Thursday’s drone attack coincided with another high-level Lebanese cabinet meeting, where officials reviewed a proposal from U.S. envoy Tom Barrack concerning Hezbollah’s disarmament. That initiative follows substantial diplomatic pressure from Washington and is part of the broader implementation of a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

The truce, which ended over a year of low-intensity conflict and a brief but intense two-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, was designed to curb hostilities while laying the groundwork for Hezbollah’s military de-escalation.

Despite setbacks, Hezbollah has retained portions of its arsenal, maintaining its influence in both political and military spheres within Lebanon. However, the ongoing Israeli strikes suggest an aggressive stance aimed at accelerating the group’s demilitarization and disrupting its command structure.