Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, in this handout image released on May 31, 2026. (Credit: Israeli Military/Handout via Reuters)
BEIRUT — The intensity of Israeli strikes and ground-level clashes with Hezbollah increased significantly overnight from Saturday to Sunday, as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli soldiers had taken control of Beaufort Castle.
Fighting was reported along the Yohmor–Arnoun (Nabatieh) and Debbine (Marjayoun) axes, with a wave of airstrikes and artillery fire hitting dozens of towns across the Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh and Sour districts.
After 10:30 p.m., clashes resumed between Hezbollah and Israeli forces at the entrance to Debbine, where explosive devices were reportedly detonated against an advancing Israeli patrol. Israeli units also took positions in Marjayoun, near the government hospital, as well as in the nearby pine forest overlooking Debbine to the southwest.
At the same time, Brasheet, Ghandourieh, Tibnin, Aita al-Jabal and Khirbet Silm came under continuous artillery fire, alongside Bouyout al-Sayyad in Sour district and Qabrikha in Marjayoun district.
Israeli warplanes struck Shaqra in Bint Jbeil district, followed by artillery fire on Majdal Selm, Sowaneh and Toul (Marjayoun district). After 11 p.m., additional airstrikes hit Shukin, Habboush, Kfar Joz and Mayfadoun in Nabatieh district, as well as the area between Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in Sour district. Exchanges of fire, including machine-gun and rocket fire, were also reported around Ghandourieh (Bint jbeil).
Clashes involving machine-gun and rocket fire were also reported around Ghandourieh in Bint Jbeil district. In Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour district), a drone strike hit the town, with rescue teams unable to reach the area due to security conditions. No casualties were immediately confirmed, and verification was ongoing.
An Israeli Merkava tank positioned in the pine forest near Marjayoun, about 500 meters from the government hospital, was targeted. Shelling also hit Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, while strikes targeted Arab Salim (Nabatieh district), where Hassan Mohammad Younes was reported killed.
After midnight, strikes hit Nabatieh city, followed by strikes on Deir al-Zahrani, killing one person and wounding ten according to paramedics, who said additional victims may still be trapped under rubble. Two further strikes later hit Arab Salim and Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh district).
After 2 a.m., strikes targeted the area between Tora and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour district), as well as the homes of Abou Habib Kassir and the family of Hachem Safieddine, acting secretary-general of Hezbollah. Strikes and explosions continued Sunday morning in the Bint Jbeil and Sour districts.
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