Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Lebanon of a potential deterioration of the situation at the southern border, stating on Thursday, “We don’t want war, but we must prepare for a deteriorating situation with Lebanon.”
In a statement, he cautioned that “Hezbollah and Lebanon will pay a heavy price if the situation deteriorates,” asserting that “there is no complete solution to what is happening in the Gaza Strip.”
Amid this diplomatic escalation, Israeli Channel 13 reported that “the Israeli government is preparing food packages to be ready for distribution to residents of northern regions in case of a war with Hezbollah.”
Meanwhile, on the ground, the Israeli military intensified its attacks on South Lebanon, conducting airstrikes on the outskirts of the town of Qlaileh, resulting in the death of a suspected Hamas member and other injuries. This was accompanied by artillery bombardment on villages in the west and central sectors, Mount Labbouneh and Mount Alam.
Other localities were also targeted on Thursday evening, including Kfar Kila, the outskirts of Jabal Blat, Aita al-Shaab, the Zeitoun neighborhood on the southwest outskirts of Mays al-Jabal, Khallet al-Khashab on the western outskirts and the Masheb al-Kharouf area on the northern outskirts.
Additionally, three artillery shells fell on the hill of al-Rouwaisat outside Hula.
The Israeli military also targeted the eastern outskirts of the town of Mays al-Jabal with thick smoke and phosphorus bombs to withdraw its vehicles from the area.
Israeli fighter jets conducted an airstrike on Odaisseh and another on Rab al-Thalathine in the Marjayoun district.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced having targeted several Israeli positions, including the Malkiya site causing injuries, and the al-Raheb and al-Samaka sites in the hills of Kfarchouba and the Shebaa Farms, achieving direct hits. Hezbollah also targeted an assembly of Israeli soldiers around the Adamit barracks “with missiles.”
UNIFIL requested its members to “take shelter by going to shelters.”
Earlier in the day, an Israeli drone targeted a car in Khan Souk, near Kfarchouba, and also launched a rocket at a house in the center of the town of Kfarchouba, causing significant damage to the house without causing injuries.
