Israeli army increases air and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon
Lebanon's official news agency NNA reported that Israel has targeted the areas around Mansouri, Hadasa, Tayri, and Nabatieh since the night hours.
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The Israeli army has carried out air and artillery strikes on numerous locations in southern Lebanon since the night hours. According to reports from Lebanon's official news agency NNA, the strikes targeted several areas around Tyre, Bint Jbeil, and Nabatieh.
NNA announced that Israeli warplanes struck the town of Mansouri in the Tyre region after 02:00 on Friday. It was reported that the violent explosions occurring in the area were heard from surrounding villages and towns.
It was stated that Israeli forces carried out detonations in the towns of Hadasa and Tayri in the Bint Jbeil region, and that warplanes conducted low-altitude flights over Tyre and its surroundings, breaking the sound barrier. The area between Ali Tahir Hill and Debshe Hill, as well as the area between Kfar Roummane around Nabatieh al-Fawqa, were also targets of the airstrikes. It was reported that Ali Tahir Hill was also struck by Israeli artillery.
It was noted that the attacks continued during the daylight hours. According to NNA, Israeli forces carried out a large two-stage detonation in the area between Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit.
TENSION PERSISTS DESPITE CEASEFIRE FRAMEWORK
The latest attacks come at a time when tensions in southern Lebanon are escalating once again. In Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on August 15, 11 people lost their lives and 19 were injured. It was announced that three children were among those who died.
Israel argued that it carried out the August 15 bombardment in response to an attack by Hezbollah on Israeli soldiers, and claimed that the targeted points belonged to Hezbollah. The Lebanese government, meanwhile, condemned the killing of civilians in the attacks.
The framework agreement reached under US mediation at the end of June envisioned the Lebanese army taking control of designated areas, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, Israel continues its military presence in the region on the grounds that Hezbollah has not been completely disarmed.
The Israeli army's activity in southern Lebanon had also continued in previous days. On August 11, artillery fire, detonations, and ground operations were reported, and the area around Mansouri was bombed again on August 14.