Israeli warplanes hit eight Hezbollah military compounds in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting sites the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says belonged to the Iran-backed group’s elite Radwan Force.
The strikes focused on facilities near Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley. According to the Israeli military, the compounds housed weapons stockpiles, including rockets, and served as training grounds where Hezbollah operatives prepared for attacks on Israeli territory.
The military said Hezbollah’s activities at the sites violated ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon and posed a direct threat to the country.
מצורף תיעוד מתקיפת מחנות צבאיים של יחידת ‘כוח רדואן’ במרחב בעלבכ שבלבנון באמצעות חיל האוויר pic.twitter.com/4cNyEaFv7c
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) February 26, 2026
The military has intensified airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in recent weeks amid reports that the Iran-backed group is preparing to strike Israel if the U.S. launches a military attack on Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the U.S. will take military action against Iran if the U.S. and Iran fail to reach a nuclear deal.
Israeli assessments reported by The Times of Israel suggest that Tehran has been pressuring Hezbollah to fight alongside it in the event of a war with Israel. During the 12-day conflict with Iran in June, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reportedly received several requests from Iran to join the fighting, but declined.
A Hezbollah official told AFP on Wednesday that the group does not intend to intervene on Tehran’s behalf if Washington conducts a limited strike against Iran.
Reuters reported that Israel has warned Lebanon that it could launch heavy airstrikes on its territory, including targeting civilian infrastructure such as Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, should Hezbollah become involved in a potential U.S.-Iran conflict.
Meanwhile, high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program concluded on Thursday without a deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the talks “the most intense so far” and said that “further progress has been made” without elaborating. He added that negotiations are set to continue at a technical level next week in Vienna.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 26, 2026
