Israeli soldiers try to tow a tank stuck in the mud on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, on March 21, 2026. (Credit: AFP)
Although Beirut’s southern suburbs were not bombed overnight, southern Lebanon saw heavy fighting on several fronts between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, particularly in Khiam and Taybeh in the Marjayoun district, as well as in Naqoura in the Sour district.
By early evening, Hezbollah had claimed around 30 operations against Israel, emphasizing the ongoing intensity of the fighting and attacks on Israeli territory. In response, Israel kept striking southern Lebanon.
In the morning, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a rather vague statement, saying Israeli soldiers had killed Hezbollah militants in ground battles in southern Lebanon, which he described as the party’s "cemetery."
By the end of the day, Israeli media reported that a missile strike injured at least eight people in Ma'alot-Tarshiha, which is more than 10 kilometers from the border.
At roughly the same time, the spokesperson announced that the Israeli army’s 162nd division, which had left the Gaza front, was ready to deploy as reinforcements against Hezbollah if required.
Later, Israeli army Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir declared during a visit to Metula that the Israeli army would not stop attacking Lebanon "until real security is restored in the region."
"We are operating according to an organized plan, we have attacked Iran, and we have prepared to open the front in the north. We will not stop until real security is restored in the region; we will not return to a policy of limited strikes," he said.
In his statement, relayed by Adraee, the military chief added that he had approved new battle plans for the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"Today, I approved the northern area command plans to continue the fighting. No more just defense! Initiative and attack! Our forces will serve as a barrier between the enemy and the localities, and any target that poses a threat will be eliminated ... Our operations in Iran are weakening Hezbollah, which is destroying Lebanon and dragging it into war to serve the Iranian regime. This war will help achieve our strategic goal: Disarm Hezbollah," he said.
"Our forces will stand as a buffer between the enemy and the communities, and any target representing a threat to them will be neutralized," he added.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s updated death toll stands at 1,024 killed by Israel since the war on Lebanon began on March 2. Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani and Tourism Minister Laura al-Khazen Lahoud toured displacement centers around Beirut.
Over a million people have been forced to flee their homes due to Israeli threats in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The Saida municipality said Saturday that between March 2 and 21, the city had received 13,295 displaced people in 26 reception centers.
The Litani National Office began restoration work on its administrative offices in Beirut, damaged by Israeli strikes for the second time in a week.
Three fronts
It is difficult to follow the developments on the front line with precise, independent verification. Information gathered by our southern Lebanon correspondent and several local media outlets, nevertheless, provides the following details:
- Khiam: Ground fighting lessened in intensity after fierce battles on the southeastern and northeastern fronts of the city. The Israeli army continued shelling the area for several hours. Hezbollah claimed several attacks against the attacking forces.
- Taybeh: Fighting has been ongoing for several days. At 5 p.m., the Israeli army was still attempting to take the locality from the Taybeh area, which overlooks it. Israeli warplanes also bombed the region.
- Naqoura: Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed a Merkava tank with a guided missile, which the Israeli army then attempted to retrieve. An amateur video of the fighting was shared on social media.
Throughout the day, other fighting and strikes took place in several areas across southern Lebanon.
In addition to the three main localities, Israel bombed Houra (between Kfar Kila and Deir Mimas), Deir Siryan, Mayfadoun, Ghandourieh, Bayada, Kafra, Majdal Selm, Qatrani, Bint Jbeil, Sour, Qalawieh, Burj Qalaway, Tiri, Mansouri, Qantara, Qabrikha, Haniyeh, Qleileh, Burj al-Shemali, Bazourieh, Rihan, Zawtar Gharbieh, Arnoun and the Sulaileh plain, while Hezbollah attacked Metula, Hadabat al-Ejel, Avivim, Nemr al-Jamal, Marj, Blat and Kiryat Shmona.
The pro-Iranian party notably said that at 6 p.m., it struck the air defense system in the Israeli locality of Maalot-Tarshiha with a barrage of rockets. It attacked the Shomera base at the same time.
Hezbollah also said it carried out an attack at 4:05 p.m. against the city of Haifa using exploding drones. On Lebanese territory, it also claimed an attack on Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the Maasra neighborhood of Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil) using artillery fire.
