Update at 12 p.m.: Lebanese army position hit by Israeli raid

Since midnight, the situation on Lebanon’s southern front has deteriorated sharply. Fighting between Hizbullah and Israeli forces broke out in several strategic border areas, particularly in Maroun el-Ras, Ras Naqoura and Aita al-Shaab. According to Almanar, Hezbollah responded to the Israeli strikes with rocket fire aimed at military positions in northern Israel. In response, Israel has intensified its strikes, destroying several suspected Hezbollah positions, but also civilian infrastructure.

The fighting was particularly violent from 9 a.m., with exchanges of heavy artillery fire. According to LBCI, Israeli troop movements have been observed near the border, hinting at a potential ground operation in the coming days. Lebanese security forces have reinforced their positions in areas at risk, but the situation remains critical with massive population displacements.

• Chronology :
  • 00:30 am: Beginning of hostilities in Maroun el-Ras. (Liveuamap)
  • 03:00: Reinforcement of Israeli troops along the southern border. (MTV Lebanon)
  • 05:15: Fighting escalates in Ras Naqoura. (Almanar)
  • 9:30 a.m.: Israeli troop movements reported toward the border. (LBCI)

2. The bombings

Israeli bombardments on southern Lebanon intensified from midnight. The villages of Srifa, Aita al-Shaab, and Zawtar al-Sharqiya were hit by airstrikes and artillery fire. According to MTV Lebanon’s sources, the shelling caused extensive material damage, destroying homes, public infrastructure and Hezbollah facilities. Several strategic bridges and roads were targeted, complicating the evacuation of civilians. A Lebanese army position was also hit with many wounded on the spot.

Israeli strikes intensified around 10 a.m., with targeted strikes near Tyre, which led to power cuts in several areas of the city. The situation is becoming more and more precarious, as the emergency services struggle to access the affected areas and the Civil Defense center has been hit, killing 5 in their ranks.

• Chronology :
  • 01:00: Bombing of Srifa, causing massive destruction. (MTV Lebanon)
  • 04:45: Strikes on infrastructure in Zawtar al-Sharqiya. (Liveuamap)
  • 10:30 a.m.: Strike near Tyre, causing power cuts. (LBCI)
  • 11:00 a.m.: Destruction of roads and bridges in the area of Aita al-Shaab. (MTV Lebanon)

3. The Balance Sheet

The Lebanese Ministry of Health published this morning a new toll of human losses caused by Israeli strikes. According to the report, 22 people were killed, including several children, and 55 others were injured, some seriously. The victims are mainly from the villages of Srifa, Aita al-Shaab, and Zawtar al-Sharqiya, residential areas that have been hit hard by the airstrikes.

Hospitals in the region, particularly those in Tyre and Saida, are overwhelmed by the massive influx of wounded. According to LBCI, many medical facilities lack basic equipment and are struggling to meet the needs of victims, especially after power cuts in some areas. The Lebanese Red Cross has been mobilised to transport the wounded to more distant health centres, but access to some areas is made difficult by the destruction of roads.

• Chronology :
  • 9:30 a.m.: Publication of the death toll by the Ministry of Health: 22 dead and 55 injured. (MTV Lebanon, LBCI)
  • 10:00 a.m.: Announcement by the World Health Organization for the shipment of medical equipment. (LBCI)

4. Security developments

Southern Lebanon is currently an active war zone. The Lebanese Armed Forces have focused on managing the humanitarian situation and protecting civilians, setting up evacuation corridors from affected villages to more secure areas such as Tyre and Saida. However, heavy bombing and destruction of infrastructure are slowing down these efforts significantly. According to MTV Lebanon, hundreds of families have already left villages near the border to flee the fighting.

Hezbollah announced that it had reinforced its positions near the combat zones, while affirming that its response capabilities remain intact. Almanar also reports that reinforcement units have been sent to Maroun el-Ras and Ras Naqoura, particularly sensitive areas. At the same time, Israeli drones regularly fly over the area to monitor Hezbollah’s movements, which increases tensions on the ground.

• Chronology :
  • 09:00: Evacuation corridors are set up by the Lebanese army. (MTV Lebanon)
  • 10:15 a.m.: Announcement of the reinforcement of Hezbollah positions on the southern border. (Almanar)
  • 11:00 a.m.: Intensive Israeli drone flyover over the Ras Naqoura area. (Liveuamap)

5. Political and Diplomatic Developments

On the diplomatic front, the situation in Lebanon is attracting increasing attention from the international community. The UN Security Council is due to meet this afternoon to discuss the crisis in Lebanon and the possibility of imposing a ceasefire. Mediation efforts are underway, led by France and Egypt, which are calling for an immediate de-escalation to avoid an extension of the conflict to the entire region.

Between 9 a.m. and noon, several emergency meetings were held in Beirut between Lebanon’s top leaders. Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called for international help to deal with the humanitarian consequences of the bombing, stressing the need for humanitarian corridors to allow the evacuation of civilians. According to MTV Lebanon, talks are also underway with the Syrian and Jordanian authorities to coordinate possible logistical assistance.

• Chronology :
  • 09:00: Emergency meeting between Lebanese leaders in Beirut. (MTV Lebanon)
  • 10:30 a.m.: Mikati’s appeal for international aid and the establishment of humanitarian corridors. (LBCI)
  • 11:30 a.m.: Announcement of the UN Security Council meeting to discuss Lebanon. (MTV Lebanon)