The Lebanese army has killed three of the country's most notorious drug traffickers in a special operation in Baalbek, marking a significant blow to entrenched criminal networks. The men, members of the Zeaiter family, were wanted for a range of serious crimes including drug trafficking, armed assaults, and kidnappings, and had long evaded capture due to tribal and political protection. The operation, which involved drone surveillance and precision strikes, was hailed as a major milestone in Lebanon's fight against organized crime.

The raid came shortly after the government instructed the army to develop a plan to seize illegal weapons, a move that drew sharp criticism from Hezbollah. The group condemned the decision to restrict weapons to state control, arguing it undermined Lebanon's resistance against Israel, but also expressed openness to dialogue on national security. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon, with attacks reported in Touline and Baalbek, resulting in civilian casualties and the targeting of Hezbollah operatives.