BEIRUT, (PIC)
Israeli forces continued heavy air and artillery strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, amid ongoing military escalation accompanied by direct threats against civilians and an expanding scope of attacks.
Lebanese media reported that artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of Kfartebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while an airstrike hit the area between the towns of Arnoun and Yohmor al-Shaqif, reflecting a recurring pattern of attacks concentrated around populated areas.
At the same time, the Israeli army issued urgent evacuation warnings for nine towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including Qaqaait al-Sanawbar, Kouthariyet al-Siyad, Marwaniyeh, Ghassaniyeh, Teffahta, Arzi, Babbliyeh, Ansar and Bissariya, in what appeared to be preparation for additional strikes and a further expansion of forced displacement among residents.
On the ground, Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had carried out a series of attacks targeting Israeli military positions, including the headquarters of Brigade 300 and the Liman barracks in northern Israel using explosive drones, in addition to 21 operations targeting Israeli soldiers and military vehicles inside Lebanese territory.
Hezbollah said the operations came in response to Israeli ceasefire violations and attacks on southern Lebanese villages that resulted in civilian casualties amid worsening humanitarian and security conditions.
According to available figures, Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire declared on 17 April. On Friday alone, at least 10 people were martyred and 44 injured in 73 separate attacks, including strikes targeting a health center and an ambulance point, in what observers described as a clear violation of international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on medical facilities and personnel.
