IDF strikes Lebanon's Beqaa Valley for first time in 3 weeks as some towns in north cancel school

Key Points:

• The IDF launched multiple airstrikes Monday targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley following repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group during a fragile ceasefire, including a deadly drone strike that killed an Israeli soldier.
• Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned Hezbollah for serving foreign interests and criticized the group amid ongoing direct talks with Israel aimed at a potential peace deal, while Hezbollah reaffirmed its refusal to disarm or cease armed resistance.
• Hezbollah has intensified drone attacks on Israeli forces, including explosive-laden drones and first-person view (FPV) drones immune to jamming, prompting Israel to intercept several and conduct retaliatory strikes, with Prime Minister Netanyahu holding security consultations.
• Northern Israeli local leaders independently suspended schooling and imposed security measures in border communities, defying national guidelines, citing ongoing Hezbollah threats and criticizing the government’s risk assessments as neglectful.
• The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least two Israeli civilians and 16 IDF soldiers killed since March, while Lebanon’s health ministry reports over 2,500 deaths from Israeli strikes, and the IDF claims to have killed approximately 1,700 Hezbollah operatives.