Beirut and South Lebanon Endure Relentless Airstrikes
Thick smoke rises from an explosion after an Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs. ©AFP

In a wave of intense airstrikes early on Sunday, Israel targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, South Lebanon and the Bekaa region, causing significant damage to residential areas, churches and infrastructure.

Early Morning Attacks on Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

For the second time on Sunday morning, the Israeli army issued evacuation calls for residents living in five adjacent buildings in Haret Hreik. The evacuation calls also included the area behind the municipality, close to the assassination site of Fouad Shokr and St. Joseph's Church, in addition to the area of Jamous in front of al-Bayan School. The latter area, close to al-Bayan School, was among the first targeted in this latest series of attacks.

In a series of early morning strikes, Israel targeted several areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. 

An hour after the evacuation call to the residents, Israeli warplanes launched a strike this morning in the vicinity of Saydet al-Najat Church across from St. George's Hospital in Hadath. It was reported that the Saydet al-Najat Church suffered severe damage due to the targeting of neighboring civilian buildings.

 

According to preliminary information, the targeted house in the Hadath area belonged to the artist Wadih al-Sheikh and was being rented by a person.

The Chiyah area was also raided, as well as the outskirts of Ain al-Remmaneh near al-Hayat Hospital in the southern suburbs. The warplanes raided a 12-storey residential building near St. Mikhael Church and destroyed it.

The warplanes later launched a violent airstrike on the Burj al-Barajneh area behind Ali Nasser High School near the Burj al-Hidaya School.

Attacks on South Lebanon

Early on Sunday morning, the Israeli army’s Arabic-speaking spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a warning to residents of 15 southern Lebanese villages including, Kfar Hamam, Kfarchouba, Burj al-Malouk, Khiam, Blat, Dibine, Arnon, Yohmor, Deir Siryan, Taybeh, Qasabiya, Mazraat Kauthariyet El Rez, Humayri, Matariyat al-Shomer and Kfar Tebnin to evacuate their homes immediately and move to the north of the Awli River.

 

In field developments, Israeli warplanes raided the town of Khiam at dawn today, amid heavy artillery shelling of the town. The area downstream of the Litani River, outside Blat towards the Mahmoudiya area, witnessed shelling with cluster bombs.

In addition, warplanes launched 3 airstrikes, targeting the town of Hanine in Bint Jbeil district. Hostile warplanes also attacked houses in the towns of Tura and Maaraka.

The outskirts of the towns of Naqoura and Zebqine also came under direct hostile artillery shelling, targeting open areas, valleys and forests adjacent to the two towns.

Meanwhile, in Tyre, the towns of Batouleh, Ramadiya and al-Shaitiyah al-Malikiyah have been under heavy 155 mm artillery shelling since the morning. Warplanes also raided Tayr Harfa in two waves, targeting houses in the town.

Two artillery shells reportedly landed near the Electricité du Liban (EDL) switching station in Jdeidet Marjayoun. Israeli drones also raided the town, targeting a house near St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in the town square, causing a fire. The airstrike caused material damage to the church and neighboring buildings.

Since dawn, the town of Jibshit has been subjected to heavy air aggression, as the warplanes carried out seven raids in less than two hours, targeting buildings and houses.

At dawn today, hostile aircraft launched four airstrikes, targeting the Hamila area on the outskirts of Deir Al-Zahrani town. In addition, eight Israeli airstrikes targeted the area of Roumine and the outskirts of Azza. 

Attacks on Bekaa

At dawn, warplanes carried out a raid on the town of Sohmor in the western Bekaa.

Hezbollah Announcements

Hezbollah claimed it targeted the Ajal plateau site, north of the Kfarioval settlement. It also announced that its fighters “ambushed Israeli forces advancing on the eastern outskirts of the town of Shamaa.”

 

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