Beirut: Israel carried out fresh airstrikes and artillery shelling on towns and areas of southern Lebanon on Thursday, intensifying attacks despite a US-brokered framework agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, an Israeli airstrike hit residential neighborhoods in the town of Mansouri in the Tyre district, as reported by Lebanon's state news agency (NNA). In the Bint Jbeil district, another Israeli strike targeted a house on the outskirts of Haris-Hadata in the Al-Arish area, leading to its destruction with two missiles. Israeli artillery also shelled the Marjayoun plain. There was no immediate information on casualties from these attacks.
The latest strikes are part of an Israeli escalation that began late Wednesday, which included airstrikes, artillery shelling, and large explosions in several southern Lebanese towns. During the night, Israeli forces executed a massive explosion in the town of Bani Hayyan in the Marjayoun district, as reported by NNA. Videos circulating online depicted large explosions targeting homes and residential buildings.
In Tyre district, Israeli warplanes struck Mansouri, coinciding with further explosions carried out by Israeli forces, while artillery shelling targeted Wadi al-Hujair and Wadi al-Salouqi in the Bint Jbeil district. Additionally, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiya toward Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh governorate.
In a separate development, the Israeli army executed an explosion in the Ali al-Taher Heights on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, causing significant tremors and a loud blast that was heard across Nabatieh governorate and surrounding areas. This explosion followed reports from Israel's Channel 12 and public broadcaster KAN, which indicated that the army was preparing to demolish tunnels and infrastructure in the Ali al-Taher Heights overnight.
The Israeli army later claimed in a statement that it had completed the destruction of underground routes in the area, totaling more than 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) in length. They asserted that forces from the 36th Division had achieved 'operational control' above and below ground in the Ali al-Taher Heights and alleged the tunnels were intended for use by the Hezbollah group.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the destruction of the tunnels, which they described as completing the 'organization of the security zone in southern Lebanon.' They declared that the Israeli army would 'remain in the security zone.'
The Israeli escalation in Lebanon coincides with Israel entering a decisive election period, with Netanyahu striving to unite small right-wing parties ahead of the October 27 elections. Recent polls have shown his bloc struggling to reach the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, while Netanyahu has emphasized security issues and confrontation with Israel's regional opponents as central to his election rhetoric.
On Wednesday, the Lebanese army reported approximately 7,700 Israeli violations since a framework agreement was signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26, cautioning that their continuation threatens existing understandings and arrangements. The army stated that Israel had increased its targeting of residential areas and institutions in recent days, resulting in deaths and injuries, with at least 12 fatalities, including women and children, in Kfar Rumman in the Nabatieh district.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have persisted despite the signing of the US-sponsored framework agreement, which calls for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there. Israel has occupied areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the war between 2023 and 2024, while expanding its presence inside Lebanese territory during its ongoing assault.