The smoke rising from the site of the strike in Tebna, near Baysariyeh, in the southern district of Saida. (Credit: Photo provided by our correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah)
BEIRUT — The Israeli army conducted at least 15 airstrikes within half an hour in southern Lebanon on Friday at around 10 p.m., reported our regional correspondent. Around 20 to 25 missiles were fired at across different districts, he added.
While the Israeli army has carried out near-daily strikes in Lebanon, violating the cease-fire agreement, this marks the highest number of strikes in a single day since Nov. 27.
Shortly after, the Israeli army announced that it conducted airstrikes against "military sites" belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The strikes occurred at several points between Aita al-Jabal and Kounin (Bint Jbeil district), between Zibqine (Sour) and Yater (Bint Jbeil), and between Ansar (Nabatieh) and Zrarieh (Saida). The village of Tebna, near Baissariyeh in the Saida district was also targeted.
In the Jezzine district, Israeli strikes hit an area between Rihane, Aishiyeh — the hometown of President Joseph Aoun — and Sojod. The military also targeted the outskirts of Aazzeh (Nabatieh).
Uninhabited areas
According to currently available information, all strikes targeted uninhabited areas. So far, there are no reports of any casualties. Some of the strikes caused fires, particularly the one near Ansar.
At the same time, Israeli planes and drones intensively flew over the eastern chain of the Baalbeck-Hermel governorate, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa.
Shortly after the strikes, Israel claimed the attack via the Arabic-speaking spokesperson of its army, Avichai Adraee. "The Israeli army recently conducted a strike in southern Lebanon against military sites belonging to ... Hezbollah, where weapons and missile launchers were spotted," he wrote on X. "The presence of these weapons and launchers at these sites is considered a threat to Israel and constitutes a flagrant violation of the agreements between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli army will continue to act to eliminate any threat against Israel and will prevent any attempt at rearmament or redeployment by Hezbollah," he added.
Earlier in the day, the situation had remained relatively calm, despite strong reactions from the Lebanese side over Israeli soldiers escorting settlers to visit an alleged religious site inside Lebanese territory in the Ibad-Houla area (Marjayoun) in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Army condemned the move in a statement issued in the afternoon.
The Israeli military continues to occupy several locations in southern Lebanon, despite its stipulated complete withdrawal by Feb. 18 under the extended terms of the cease-fire.
UNIFIL vehicle accident
Israeli gunfire injured three people in Kfar Kila, in the Marjayoun district early Friday afternoon. The individuals were near the border wall recently built by the Israeli military.
Meanwhile, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spokesperson Kandice Ardiel confirmed to L’Orient-Le Jour that a U.N. vehicle was involved in an accident Friday, resulting in injuries among peacekeepers.
“Earlier in the day, a UNIFIL military vehicle was cut off by another [civilian] vehicle and ended up in a ditch. Four peacekeepers were slightly injured. Another civilian vehicle was involved in a separate collision in the same area, and the driver was taken to the hospital. We are investigating and wish all affected a speedy recovery,” the spokesperson said.
She added that though "the sequence of events is unclear," it is established "that the civilian injury is not at all related to those of the peacekeepers."
