Hezbollah says 'resistance' is the only choice after deadly Israeli strike

On February 21, 2026, Israeli military strikes in eastern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, including a senior Hezbollah military official. The strikes targeted Hezbollah command centers in the Bekaa Valley and locations associated with the Palestinian group Hamas in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 24 others were wounded in the attacks, which included three children. Local reports suggest that the death toll could be as high as a dozen, with over 30 individuals injured across the region. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the sites of the attacks, as reported by Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA). In response to the Israeli strikes, a Hezbollah official stated that "resistance" was the only option available to the group. The deputy chairman of Hezbollah’s political council emphasized that the group "no longer has any option" but to defend itself following what they described as the deadliest Israeli strikes in weeks. This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions and is viewed as a violation of the ceasefire agreement that was established in November 2024. The Israeli military confirmed that the airstrikes were aimed at Hezbollah command centers and other targets linked to Hamas. The attacks occurred in the context of rising regional tensions, and Hezbollah's leadership is reportedly increasing internal meetings to discuss their response to the situation. Mourners gathered for the funerals of the deceased Hezbollah members in Baalbek, reflecting the gravity of the incident and its impact on the local community.