Israeli forces launched a series of air strikes on the valley of Zibqine in southern Lebanon, alongside intense artillery shelling targeting Majdal Zoun and the neighbouring valleys, as part of continuing military operations that have affected a number of southern towns and areas in recent hours. The Lebanese news agency reported that Israeli forces also carried out explosions in the towns of Mansouri and Deir Siryan, while bulldozers and military vehicles moved inside the town.
Air strikes and shelling expand across southern towns
Air strikes, artillery shelling and the demolition of homes continued in scattered areas of southern Lebanon. Israeli warplanes had carried out an air strike on Monday evening against Kfar Tebnit and the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah. In a separate incident, an Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb inside the southern town of Hadatha.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, an Israeli air strike targeted Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while artillery shelled the outskirts of Mifdoun. The Israeli army also set fire to several homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, while continuing earthmoving operations and the demolition of homes in the south.
Hostilities ease without an end to the strikes
These developments come after the intensity of hostilities in Lebanon declined from late June, following the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding and the framework agreement between the Lebanese and Israeli governments. Despite this, Israeli forces continue to carry out strikes and ground operations in several areas of southern Lebanon.
The war in the Middle East had spread to Lebanon on 2 March, after Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in “revenge” for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to the Lebanese authorities, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 4,300 people since then.
