BEIRUT, (PIC)
Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have escalated sharply, with a series of coordinated airstrikes targeting multiple towns amid ongoing violations of a temporary ceasefire.
Local sources reported that an Israeli strike hit the town of Jbal al-Botm, while a drone attack targeted Majdal Zoun. Additional air raids struck the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, where at least three strikes were recorded since early morning Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Israeli warplanes also carried out further strikes on areas near Jabal al-Botm and al-Qulaylah, alongside artillery shelling across several areas in the south, reflecting a widening scope of both aerial and ground attacks.
In a parallel escalation, Israeli forces reportedly demolished residential blocks in the towns of Shamaa and al-Qantara, expanding the targeting to civilian infrastructure.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said four people were martyred and 51 injured in Israeli strikes on southern areas on Monday.
The Israeli military, for its part, said it launched interceptor missiles toward what it described as “suspicious aerial targets” in the south operational zone. The Israeli Army Radio, citing a security source, also reported growing frustration among Israeli unit commanders over increasing drone threats from Hezbollah.
The army further confirmed that one soldier was seriously wounded and another lightly injured after an explosive drone crashed in southern Lebanon.
In a separate statement, Israel claimed it had destroyed more than 1,000 pieces of infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah, including rigged buildings.
The continued escalation underscores mounting tensions on the ground and raises concerns over a broader deterioration of the fragile ceasefire.
