A man walks on rubble at the site an Israeli strike in Sour, Lebanon, June 12, 2026. (Credit: Aziz Taher/Reuters)
SOUTH LEBANON — After focusing its airstrikes in recent days on the districts of Sour and Nabatieh, the Israeli military appeared on Friday to shift its offensive toward the Saida region and the Zahrani River.
In the early afternoon, the Israeli army, through its Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X, issued evacuation orders to residents of three villages in the Saida district — Sarafand, Tefahta and Mazraat Sinay — ahead of planned strikes. In its message, it said it was targeting Hezbollah positions and instructed residents to move north of the Zahrani River, south of the city of Saida.
The municipality of Sarafand quickly called on residents to evacuate to the nearest safe area “until the danger has passed.” Residents of Qaqaaiyet al-Sanawbar also fled the Baqbish neighborhood after receiving evacuation calls, before a second warning extended to the entire town.
These developments come as Israeli operations intensify across southern Lebanon. Overnight and into Friday, airstrikes, drone attacks and artillery shelling hit multiple areas, particularly in the districts of Sour and Nabatieh.
An Israeli airstrike on Shehabieh (Sour) killed one person and wounded 11 others. Earlier strikes on Sinay and Selaa killed Hezbollah liaison officer Mohammad Mostafa Khalaf. Additional raids targeted Majdal Zoun, Siddiqin, Kfar Tibnit, Ghandourieh, the Mahmoudieh forest and the outskirts of Arnoun.
Drone strikes were also reported in Jebsheet, Nabatieh and Bayyad near Deir Aames, while artillery shelling hit Blatt, Dibbine, Shoukin and the Nabaa neighborhood in Nabatieh. In the afternoon, strikes hit the Khardali River area and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while Shehabieh was struck twice more, causing further injuries.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it carried out attacks against Israeli positions. The group claimed it launched suicide drones at dawn targeting Israeli artillery positions in Tallat al-Hamames near Khiam and in the Sarda Farm area. It also reported rocket and artillery fire against Israeli forces in Shamaa, and drone strikes on military targets in Tayr Harfa. The Israeli army said it intercepted a drone launched from Lebanon.
The escalation comes amid growing speculation about a potential agreement between the United States and Iran. Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said Lebanon is included in such a deal and that Iran had indicated Israel would withdraw from Lebanese territory, while stressing that Hezbollah would not commit unless Israel upholds its obligations.
In parallel, Israeli strategic discussions appear to be evolving. According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli officials are considering pushing Hezbollah forces beyond the Zahrani River. While a full disarmament of the group is seen as unrealistic, moving its positions further north could significantly reduce threats to northern Israeli areas.
Hezbollah is reportedly reinforcing areas near the Zahrani amid fears of a potential Israeli advance.
Lebanese officials have also weighed in on the reported diplomacy. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said any US-Iran arrangement would have “direct repercussions” on Lebanon, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Tehran of seeking to demonstrate that final decision-making power in Lebanon remains in its hands.
As strikes continue and evacuation orders expand, the situation on the ground suggests a widening scope of operations, with the Zahrani River emerging as a possible new axis in the conflict.
