Early on Sunday morning, the Israeli military launched a series of heavy airstrikes on the Nabatiyeh district in southern Lebanon, an area that has been repeatedly targeted in recent weeks.
According to local sources cited by the Al-Markazia news agency, over 10 air raids struck the area of Ali al-Taher and its surroundings, not far from Beaufort Castle. The road linking Kfar Tibnit and Khardali has reportedly been rendered nearly unusable. At the same time, Israeli fighter jets were seen flying at low altitude over the region.
The Israeli army’s radio reported that the strikes specifically targeted “a Hezbollah underground site that had previously come under attack and was undergoing reconstruction.”
In a statement released later, the Israeli military said the strikes were in response to “suspicious activity” by Hezbollah in the area.
“Israeli forces struck military infrastructure, including underground facilities, at a Hezbollah site where military activity had been identified in the Beaufort Ridge area of southern Lebanon,” the statement read, adding that the site was “in the process of being restored.” It said that “the existence of this site and the activity within it constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.” The army concluded by stating it would “continue to act to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel.”
The air raids came just hours ahead of a scheduled televised address by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, due at 3 PM, marking the 47th anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr and his two companions.
In his address, Berri is expected to comment on the situation on the ground in the south, outline his stance, along with that of his ally, Hezbollah, on the disarmament plan drawn up by the army and due to be reviewed by the government on Friday.
He is also expected to touch on the indirect negotiations with Israel, brokered through Washington, aimed at reinforcing the current ceasefire agreement.
The strikes also followed a night of intense Israeli drone activity over several southern towns, including Arnoun, Yohmor al-Shaqif (Beaufort), Habbouch, Arabsalim, Iqlim al-Tuffah and Jabal al-Rihan, in the Jezzine district.
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