Israel airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 people in southern areas, according to Lebanese media reports, as heavy aerial bombardment and artillery shelling targeted Nabatieh and surrounding villages.
The attacks, described as among the most intense in recent days, struck residential areas, resulting in casualties, injuries, and missing persons.
Multiple Strikes on Nabatieh and Nearby Towns
Lebanese media reported that Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes before dawn on towns including Sharqiya, Harouf, and Kfarsir in the Nabatieh district.
Artillery shelling also hit the city of Nabatieh, Kfarjuz, Kfarreman, Zibdin, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Habboush, Sajd, and the al-Rihan highlands.
According to the National News Agency, several residential homes were targeted, leading to casualties and significant destruction.
In Harouf’s al-Baydar neighborhood and the Kfarjuz–Nabatieh area, at least eight people were reported killed.
Additional Casualties Reported
Further strikes targeted the area between Sharqiya and Doueir, destroying a house and killing four people.
In Kfarsir, three people were reported killed in another airstrike.
Later in the morning, an Israeli drone strike hit a motorcycle near Doueir’s municipal building, killing one person and injuring another.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry later updated the overall toll from the southern strikes to 18 killed and 33 injured.
Escalation Continues Across Southern Lebanon
Airstrikes and artillery fire continued in towns such as Qsaybeh, Kfardjal, Kfartibnit, Adshit, and Toul, with additional drone attacks reported in Jibsheet.
Hebrew-language media reported Israeli air raids on Ain Bourday and near Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, as well as strikes on Arab Salim and al-Rihan in the south.
The sustained bombardment reflects ongoing escalation in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah and Israeli Casualties
Hezbollah announced that it targeted an Israeli force attempting to infiltrate the northern side of Ali al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon.
The group said the Israeli unit was attempting to evacuate casualties from a previous ambush.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that four Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, were killed in overnight clashes in southern Lebanon. Seventeen others were reportedly injured.
Rising Regional Tensions
The latest Israel airstrikes in Lebanon come amid continued cross-border exchanges and fragile ceasefire arrangements.
Key developments include:
– Air and artillery strikes on multiple southern towns
– Casualties reported by Lebanese authorities
– Hezbollah announcing counter-operations
– Israeli media confirming military losses
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military activity on both sides of the border.
Conclusion:
Israel airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties and widespread damage in the Nabatieh region, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities.
As both sides report military operations and losses, the security situation in southern Lebanon remains highly unstable, raising concerns about further intensification of the conflict.
