Israeli warplanes renewed strikes at dawn Tuesday, March 17, 2026, on southern Beirut suburbs, while additional strikes hit towns near Sidon following Israeli warnings, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The Lebanese military announced three soldiers killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli military insisted its operations are not directed “against the Lebanese army.” The strikes marked continued escalation as Israel pursues limited ground operations in southern Lebanon following weeks of confrontation with Hezbollah.
Israeli forces repeated evacuation warnings to residents south of the Zaharani River in southern Lebanon following similar warnings for areas south of the Litani River, zones encompassing 14 percent of Lebanese territory according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. The breadth of evacuation warnings reflects the scale of planned Israeli military operations.
Limited Israeli Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon
The Israeli military announced Monday the beginning of “limited ground activity” in southern Lebanon stating it aims to “establish the forward defense zone and includes destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating terrorist elements operating in the area.” This announcement came two weeks after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2.
Strategy of Isolating Border Zones
Israel preceded its ground operations by targeting multiple vital bridges and roads serving as principal transit routes in southern Lebanon. Among these, a bridge spanning the Litani River connecting areas north and south of the waterway, and a major highway, effectively isolating the border Marjayoun area from adjacent Hasbaiya region near eastern Bekaa province. This strategy reflects Israeli attempts to sever border areas from the remainder of Lebanon.
Strikes on Suburbs and Populated Areas
Israeli airstrikes renewed Tuesday during daylight hours on southern Beirut suburbs, one near Beirut International Airport according to the national agency. The agency stated “Israeli combat aircraft conducted the third strike Tuesday on the southern suburb targeting the old airport road near Al-Ahly Sports Club in Burj al-Barajneh district.”
The airport road strike killed one person and wounded nine others according to Health Ministry figures. Following the strike, Civil Aviation Authority head Mohamed Aziz told the agency “the airport operates normally and the access road remains open.”
Repeated Destruction Pattern in Residential Areas
In southern Beirut suburbs, the same destruction scene repeats following each strike. An AFP photographer witnessed firefighters extinguishing a fire erupting from rubble of a heavily destroyed building with debris scattered throughout the empty street Tuesday morning. This repeated pattern reflects widespread destruction inflicted on residential infrastructure.
Conditions for Displaced in Sidon and Southern Regions
In Sidon, southern Lebanon’s largest city, displaced persons slept on streets or in vehicles along the seafront. Jihan Qaysi, director of a local non-governmental organization operating a school converted to a reception center, explained “many people come daily requesting shelter, but we have no more space, we cannot accommodate them.”
Qaysi added “Sidon is full, we have no remaining capacity,” noting the road to Sidon from the south was cut and people “continue arriving from southern areas following evacuation orders.”
Forced Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis
Over one million Lebanese have fled since Israeli airstrikes began, representing more than one-sixth of the small nation’s population according to Lebanese government figures. According to Imran Rida, UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, approximately 70 percent of displaced persons lack shelter.
Rida told reporters “civilians pay an enormous price, displacement accelerates significantly. Currently, hundreds of thousands have left homes, often possessing only the clothes on their backs.”
Rising Death and Injury Toll
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since war with Hezbollah began on March 2 have killed at least 912 people according to Health Ministry figures announced Tuesday. The ministry stated total deaths from “Israeli aggression on Lebanon” reached 912, including 111 children and 38 healthcare workers, with 2,221 additional wounded.
Healthcare Workers Among Casualties
Deaths of 38 healthcare workers reflect targeting affecting the medical sector. This figure indicates medical facilities have become conflict targets. Death of 111 children reflects the humanitarian catastrophe of war on civilian populations.
UN Criticizes Israeli Threats
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office Tuesday condemned statements by a far-right Israeli minister as “completely unacceptable” after he threatened southern Beirut suburb the same fate as Gaza.
UN High Commissioner spokesperson Thameen Al-Khayyat told a Geneva press conference that “statements from Israeli officials threatening to impose the same level of destruction on Lebanon as in Gaza are absolutely unacceptable.”
Controversial Ministerial Statements
On March 5, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened southern Beirut suburb, Hezbollah’s stronghold supported by Iran, with destruction matching what Israel inflicted on Gaza. Smotrich stated via Telegram “very soon, the suburb will resemble Khan Younis,” referring to the major southern Gaza city destroyed by Israel during its war with Hamas.
International Criticism of Urban Area Attacks
UN High Commissioner spokesperson Al-Khayyat confirmed that “in many cases, Israeli airstrikes have completely destroyed residential buildings in densely populated urban areas, often killing multiple members of single families including women and children.”
Al-Khayyat added “such attacks raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law. Persons displaced by fighting living in tents along Beirut’s waterfront are also affected.” These criticisms reflect international attention to war’s humanitarian impacts.
Hezbollah Denies Kuwait Cell Allegations
Hezbollah denied Tuesday any connection to “cells” in Kuwait following Kuwait’s announcement of detention of 16 people, 14 Kuwaitis and two Lebanese nationals, accused of affiliation with the party and organizing “coordinated sabotage plots” in the Gulf state. This accusation reflects Gulf nations’ concerns about spread of Hezbollah and Iran-aligned faction military activity to their territories.
Israeli President Calls for European Support Against Hezbollah
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Monday in an interview with AFP on European countries to “support any effort aimed at eliminating” Hezbollah. This appeal reflects Israeli attempts to recruit international support for military operations in Lebanon.
Warning from Israeli Defence Minister
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned Monday that Lebanese displaced persons will not return to homes south of the Litani River region before ensuring security of northern Israel residents. This warning indicates Israeli intention for long-term occupation of southern Lebanon territory.
Hezbollah Responds to Israeli Operations
Hezbollah continues announcing nightly targeting of Israeli soldier concentrations in border towns, particularly in Al-Khiam, concurrent with Israel’s announcement of limited ground operations. Al-Khiam town in Marjayoun district served as the first point Israeli forces penetrated following war’s outbreak, with AFP photographer observing smoke rising from the town Monday following bombardment.
Evacuation Orders Cover Extensive Territory
Israeli military evacuation orders since war’s outbreak cover 14 percent of Lebanese territory according to the Norwegian Refugee Council announcement last week. The depth of evacuation zones exceeds forty kilometers from the border, indicating extensive planned operations.
Conclusion:
Continuing Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and escalating ground operations reflect Israeli determination to expand the war’s geographic scope. With over 912 killed and more than one million Lebanese displaced, the country faces a humanitarian catastrophe unseen in years. International warnings from the United Nations and European criticisms have not halted Israeli escalation. As Hezbollah continues responding to Israeli operations, Lebanon appears destined for prolonged war with severe humanitarian and economic consequences.
