Hezbollah-Israel Confrontations Reach Unprecedented Intensity
Destruction in Haret Hreik on November 17, 2024 ©Al-Markazia

Escalating violence was  reported across Lebanon’s southern regions Sunday night, while a precarious calm was observed in Beirut’s southern suburbs. 

Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

In the Dahyeh area, a relative calm has persisted since yesterday evening, with no reported drone activity. However, the aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes has left a visible mark. Ziad Waked, Mayor of Haret Hreik, described the extensive destruction, noting that over 100 buildings have been demolished and another 100 rendered uninhabitable. Municipal teams are facing challenges accessing their own offices due to the widespread devastation. While workers take advantage of brief lulls to clear roads, displaced residents are being accommodated with the help of nearby municipalities. Waked urged residents to steer clear of damaged buildings for safety reasons, yet enforcement of this remains difficult. Lingering odors from the airstrikes have sparked public concern, prompting the matter to be referred to the Ministries of Environment and Defense.

On the other hand, the mayor of Bourj al-Barajneh, Atef Hassan Mansour, warned in a statement of “the collapse of cracked buildings in the area as a result of the Israeli raids and the start of the rainy season.”

On another front, the Israeli airstrike on Mar Elias Street in Beirut yesterday triggered a massive fire at the Al-Diyar building. The fire was fueled by flammable materials stored in the area, such as perfumes and diesel tanks. Civil Defense teams, under the supervision of Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas.

The toll from the Israeli strikes targeting the capital on Sunday was published on Monday by the Ministry of Health, indicating 4 killed and 14 wounded, including 2 children, in Ras el-Nabeh. In addition, 4 people were killed and 22 wounded in Mar Elias.

South Lebanon

The southern regions of Nabatieh, Tyre, and Iqlim al-Tuffah have been at the center of intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling.

The Islamic Health Authority center in Arabsalim was destroyed, killing six paramedics.

Cluster bombs and unexploded munitions have added to civilian casualties and safety concerns.

In Nabatieh, strikes in areas such as Al-Midan and Maslakh led to multiple fatalities, including members of the Mansour and Al-Sabouri families.

Villages in Tyre and Iqlim al-Tuffah witnessed relentless shelling, with some areas reportedly struck by phosphorus bombs.

In Khiam, heavy clashes erupted as Hezbollah forces repelled Israeli attempts to advance.

The group claimed to have destroyed three Merkava tanks and used swoop drones to target Israeli military gatherings. Airstrikes on nearby villages, including Aita al-Shaab and Bint Jbeil, have resulted in extensive destruction.

Hezbollah

Hezbollah announced two aerial strikes using swoop drones on Israeli army positions east of Khiam, reportedly achieving accurate hits.

A guided missile attacks targeted Israeli forces in Kiryat Shmona. The group also claimed responsibility for destroying a Merkava tank in the Tayr Harfa-Al-Jabeen area.

 

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