Contrails from Israeli fighter jets are visible behind a minaret, against the backdrop of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Israeli-American war on Iran continues, in Sour, Lebanon, on March 24, 2026. (Credit: Manu Brabo/Reuters)
On Monday, the 29th day of the war on Lebanon, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed a Lebanese soldier, injured several others, targeted civilians and rescue centers, and involved intense fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters in Ainata (Bint Jbeil). Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli positions and soldiers both in Lebanon and Israel.
Israel killed two UNIFIL soldiers in Beni Hayan, a day after an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed by a projectile explosion near Adsheet. In Beirut’s southern suburbs, an Israeli strike hit the Rihab neighborhood, killing one person and injuring 17.
Israel kills 1 Lebanese soldier, injures 5 others
The Israeli army struck a Lebanese post on the Qleileh (Sour) road, killing soldier Ali Ajem, originally from Mashta Hammoud (Akkar), and wounding five other servicemen.
Explosion kills 2 UN peacekeepers, injures 2 others
On Monday, UNIFIL announced in a statement that two peacekeepers “were tragically killed in southern Lebanon when a vehicle was destroyed by an explosion of unknown origin near Beni Hayan [Marjayoun].” Two others were wounded, one critically.
“This is the second deadly incident in the past 24 hours,” said the U.N. force. The previous day, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed by a projectile explosion near Adsheet (Marjayoun), and another was seriously wounded. The origin of the projectiles remains unknown and is under investigation.
Israeli strike injures rescuers
Israeli strikes in Haniyeh (Sour) killed three people and destroyed several vehicles of the scouts from the Islamic Mission (al-Rissala). Vehicles and a center belonging to the Islamic Health Committee affiliated with Hezbollah were also hit, causing four minor injuries among rescue workers, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Israeli strike on Rihab
Meanwhile, on Monday morning in Beirut, the southern suburbs were bombed less than an hour after an evacuation order was issued by the Israeli army to residents of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir and Chiyah.
However, the Israeli army also struck the densely populated Rihab neighborhood, which was not included in its warnings. This strike killed one and wounded 17, according to the Health Ministry. A security source told AFP the strike killed three Hezbollah fighters and seriously wounded three others.
Later, in a statement only mentioning a strike in Beirut, the Israeli army said it killed Hamza Ibrahim Rukin, described as the deputy commander of Unit 1800, as well as the head of operations of this unit and another member.
According to the Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Unit 1800 is “responsible for coordination between Hezbollah and Palestinian organizations in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and the West Bank.”
The statement adds that Hamza Rukin “also supervised the transfer of fighters from these organizations to take part in fighting against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.” The head of operations and another member of Unit 1800 were also reportedly killed.
Fighting in Ainata between Hezbollah, Israeli army
Fighting is underway between Hezbollah and the Israeli army in the locality of Ainata (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent. The sound of small-arms fire and rocket explosions can be heard in the area.
Hezbollah on Monday claimed several attacks against Israeli soldiers and positions in Lebanon and across the border. In southern Lebanon, artillery fire, guided missiles and exploding drones struck Israeli soldiers and vehicles in Deir Siryan, Beit Lif, Taybeh and Odaisseh. The party also shelled Israeli positions in Metula, Dovev, Ghajar, Shomera, Mishmar HaCarmel, Avivim, Kiryat Shmona and Malikiya.
Israeli soldier killed in south Lebanon
The Israeli army announced that a soldier from the 9th Battalion of the 401st Armored Brigade was killed in battles in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. The incident occurred overnight on Monday when an anti-tank missile hit a tank operating in the area. Another soldier was “seriously wounded.” According to the Israeli media, Haaretz, six Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon since March 2.
Series of Israeli airstrikes, West Bekaa under fire
The Israeli air force conducted strikes on the hussainiya in the village of Mansouri (Sour), as well as in Haris, Yater, Kafra (Bint Jbeil) and Yohmor al-Shaqif, in the Nabatieh district. Artillery fire also hit Qalawieh (Bint Jbeil) and the town of Bint Jbeil, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Around 8:30 p.m., the Israeli army issued a statement via its Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X, ordering residents of six West Bekaa towns — Zalaya, Labaya, Yohmor, Sohmor, Qlaya and Dellafi — to evacuate immediately north to Qaraoun.
Soon after, the Israeli army carried out several strikes in West Bekaa and bombed several roads, including those linking Sohmor to Yohmor, Yohmor to Labaya, Qlaya to Dellafi and Qlaya to Ahmadieh.
Updated toll
The Lebanese Health Ministry said in its daily tally that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 1,247 and injured 3,680.
