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3. Calm in Beirut, Chaos in Bekaa and Southern Lebanon

In the past 24 hours, Lebanon has witnessed a significant escalation in Israeli airstrikes and military activity, particularly in the south and the Bekaa Valley. While the southern suburbs of Beirut remained relatively quiet, Israeli raids in southern Lebanon have intensified, resulting in casualties and widespread damage.  

Israeli Strikes On Multiple Regions in Lebanon

The Israeli army launched a series of airstrikes targeting multiple areas across Lebanon. Notable strikes occurred in Nabatieh between the villages of Duweir and Sharqiya, as well as the vicinity of al-Majadil and Deir Qanun Ras al-Ain. Other towns, including Maaroub and Mahrouna in Tyre district, also suffered from air raids that caused injuries. Qana also experienced further bombardment.  

The Ministry of Public Health later confirmed that an Israeli airstrike on Baysariya, in the Tyre district, killed five people, including four children, and injured three others.  

In Chouf, an Israeli airstrike at the entrance to Barja from Jadra killed four people and injured 14. The town’s mayor, Brigadier General Hassan Saad, denied rumors that the attack targeted a Hezbollah office, confirming that it was a residential area.  

Mount Lebanon also saw its share of airstrikes, with a building along the Nahr Ibrahim-Qartaba highway and a house in Al-Maaysra, Keserwan, hit by Israeli warplanes. Casualties from these strikes were transported to hospitals in Jbeil, some in critical condition, and ten were reported killed.

In the north, the town of Deirbala in Batroun district was struck by Israeli warplanes. Rescue teams from the Civil Defense and the Lebanese Red Cross worked to retrieve the victims and wounded, who were then transported to hospitals in Tannourine and Koura.  

Meanwhile, in the Bekaa region, citizens reported hearing the launch of a long-range missile, and the Israeli Air Force carried out raids on Nabi Sheet and Saraain, targeting an egg warehouse. The Tal Shiha Hospital in Zahle suffered minor material damage from nearby strikes but thankfully reported no injuries. The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing medical services despite the ongoing war.  

Hezbollah’s Counter-Attacks  

Hezbollah responded with a series of retaliatory strikes against Israeli military positions. The group claimed to have targeted an Israeli infantry force in Khirbet Zaarit with artillery shells and struck the explosives factory at the 7200 military base south of Haifa. Hezbollah also reported targeting Israeli soldiers near Blida and settlements, including Metulla, Kfrioval, Khirbet Nafha, and Kafr Jalaadi.  

Further south, Hezbollah launched missiles at the Homa base in the occupied Syrian Golan and initiated an aerial attack with a squadron of drones on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.  

Israeli Warnings and Air Raids  

Earlier in the day, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee warned civilians in several southern Lebanese towns—including Ayta al-Shaab, Ramia, Yatar, Kozah, Beit Leif, and Zibqin—not to approach the border. He cautioned that any movement toward the south could put lives at risk, adding that residents would be informed when it was safe to return.  

Adraee also accused Hezbollah of using ambulances to transport weapons and militants, issuing a stern warning that any vehicle transporting militants would be considered a legitimate target, regardless of its type.  

In contrast, the Lebanese Red Cross responded by emphasizing its transparency with international organizations. Secretary-General George Kettaneh confirmed that the Red Cross coordinates its movements with both UNIFIL and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to ensure the safety of volunteers, especially when operating near the border.  

Rising Tensions in Northern Israel  

Following Hezbollah’s attacks, the Israeli army closed off areas around several towns in northern Israel, including Zar'it, Shomera, Shtula, Netanya, and Even Menachem, after evacuating residents earlier in the day. The closures followed a security assessment in light of the heavy bombardment coming from southern Lebanon.