Screenshot of a video showing powerful explosions after Israeli strikes on the area between Mahmoudieh and Aishieh (Jezzine), on Monday, June 23.
The Israeli army violently pounded several regions for 20 minutes at the end of the day, conducting more than 15 strikes, all located north of the Litani River, which caused very strong explosions, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region. Several fires were sparked in the areas targeted by the raids, which took place in valleys, hills, and wooded areas.
The Israeli air force bombarded the valleys located between Ansar and Zrarieh, another in Kfar Melki, the valley between the villages of Azzeh, Kfarwa Zefta, and Deir ez-Zahrani (Nabatieh), on Aishieh, Mahmoudieh, Dimashqieh, the Barghouz valley (Hasbaya), the al-Brij hill, on the outskirts of Jbaa. According to residents, it is the first time that the power of the explosions and the tremors they caused were so strongly felt.
Israeli army bombings north of the Litani River have continued at a lighter frequency since the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024. According to the terms of the truce, which is inspired by U.N. Resolution 1701, Hezbollah must withdraw north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Blue Line, and dismantle its military installations south of this boundary. Israel was supposed to withdraw all its troops from Lebanon, but it still occupies five positions it considers "strategic" along the border. The party disputes the interpretation of the agreement that it must disarm throughout the territory. Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues to strike southern Lebanon almost daily.
Strikes north of the Litani
According to the Arabic-language spokesperson of the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, " fighter jets of the air force conducted strikes against military positions of the terrorist Hezbollah, including rocket launchers, missiles as well as arms depots, in the area located north of the Litani," he wrote on X.
Shortly after the Israeli air force dropped a stun grenade near several residents inspecting their homes in the village of Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), the series of bombings was initiated, starting with Aishieh, Mahmoudieh, and Dimashqieh, then two strikes near Azzeh river, southeast of Saida, the hills of Barghouz. It also conducted strikes on the area between Houmine al-Faouqa, Azzeh, and Deir ez-Zahrani as well as on the region of Bsiliya, in the mountainous region of Iqlim al-Touffah, east of Saida (Nabatieh).
An Israeli drone carried out a strike Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. on the outskirts of Odaisseh, a border village in southern Lebanon located in the Marjayoun district, according to information from L'Orient Today's correspondent. This bombardment with two missiles hit the area known as Haret al-Mahafer without causing any casualties, according to available information. A small Israeli drone also fired two bombs at a van carrying scrap metal in Kfar Kila, without causing injuries.
A detonation was heard in the south after the Israeli army intercepted an Iranian missile that exploded in Lebanese airspace. Debris from the projectile fell on the outskirts of Kherbet Selm (Bint Jbeil).
In Beirut's southern suburbs, the Lebanese Army reportedly inspected a building in the “American quarter” of Hadath in search of military equipment, according to al-Jadeed. According to the outlet, an unexploded missile was found at midday on Monday at the scene of the assassination of Hashem Safieddine, killed on the night of Oct. 3, 2024, in the Mreijeh neighborhood, also in the southern suburbs of Beirut. When contacted by L'Orient Today, the Lebanese Army was unable to provide any information.