Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to 20 others, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). The strikes occurred at dawn on Sunday, targeting areas including Nabatieh, Arab Salim, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and Kfar Reman. Two women were reported killed and six others injured in an attack on Arab Salim, following a forced displacement order issued by Israeli forces for a building in the town. The Health Ministry of Lebanon confirmed that two individuals died in a strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
Additionally, an air strike on Nabatieh city destroyed a historical building owned by a Lebanese member of parliament and damaged several nearby structures. In Kfar Reman, the home of the town’s late former mayor was destroyed, and five individuals received treatment at Nabatieh hospitals before being discharged. Another strike targeted the Sayyida Masouma Garden, further damaging the municipal park that had been hit the previous day.
Israel stated that the air strikes were a response to Hezbollah launching two drones towards its forces in southern Lebanon, labeling the drone launch a “blatant violation” by the Lebanese armed group. Since March, following Hezbollah's attack during the US-Israel conflict regarding Iran, Israel has conducted air strikes across Lebanon and initiated a ground invasion, with Lebanon reporting over 4,300 fatalities due to these attacks.
Israeli forces are currently operating within a self-declared “security zone” approximately 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanon. Although the frequency of attacks has decreased since a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was established in June, reports of Israeli strikes, artillery shelling, and the demolition of civilian buildings in southern Lebanon persist.
On Friday, Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon resulted in four deaths, including that of an 18-year-old woman, as Israel targeted Hezbollah positions in retaliation for a drone launch. Earlier in the week, Israel announced it had gained “operational control” of the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh, a statement that Hezbollah has not commented on.
Israel is reportedly considering repositioning its troops closer to the Israeli border, with plans to move three to four kilometers closer along a new “Grey Line” for outpost construction. This would involve pulling back from parts of the “Yellow Line” north of the Litani River, although the plan has yet to receive approval from Israel’s political leadership, and the transfer of territory to the Lebanese army remains unresolved.
Hezbollah condemned the Israeli military actions, claiming they occur amid “complete international silence and blatant American complicity,” and reiterated its opposition to direct negotiations with Israel. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani communicated with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday, as Qatar seeks to promote de-escalation in the region.