The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of attempting to damage the Qaroun Dam in the western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon, noting that it had observed elements it said were affiliated with the party near the dam in recent days, before announcing that it targeted them with an airstrike. In a statement issued by Israeli military spokesperson Ella Wuwei, the military considered the Qaroun Dam to be critical national and strategic infrastructure for Lebanon, given its role in securing water, energy, electricity, and agriculture. The statement claimed that any targeting of the dam could cause severe damage to the Lebanese economy and vital infrastructure in the country, holding the Lebanese state responsible for protecting national facilities and preventing their use for terrorist purposes, according to its wording.