Israeli airstrikes target outskirts of several Bekaa towns

Violent Israeli airstrikes on Thursday targeted hills surrounding several Bekaa towns including Hermel and Shmestar.

The strikes killed two people, according to the Health Ministry, while several children were wounded by flying glass shrapnel from their school's windows in Shmestar. Many students also fainted according to media reports.

The Israeli army said the strikes targeted “a military camp and a site for the production of precision missiles” by Hezbollah.

“The military camp that was attacked was used by … Hezbollah to conduct terrorist training and education for the planning and execution of terrorist plots against IDF (Israeli army) forces and the State of Israel. As part of the terrorist training and education at the camp, the terrorists undergo shooting drills and additional training in the use of various types of weapons,” the Israeli army claimed.

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November ceasefire that brought to an end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah that culminated in two months of open war.

As part of that deal, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to dismantle its forces in the region.

Under US. pressure and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan which the group opposes.