A blasting in Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district of South Lebanon, on the night of July 4 to 5, 2026. (Credit: Photo shared by Muntasser Abdallah)
SOUTH LEBANON — As Sunday had seen only sporadic incidents in southern Lebanon, tensions escalated around 6 p.m. when Israeli warplanes struck the al-Deir neighborhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
According to our correspondent, rescue teams from the Amal-affiliated al-Rissala Scouts were unable to reach the isolated area because roads had been damaged in previous bombardments.
At the time of the strike on Nabatieh, Israel's Channel 12 reported an attack on the "heights of Ali Taher hill," overlooking Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Israeli forces are seeking to seize the strategic high ground, claiming it is crossed by tunnels and houses a Hezbollah base. Occupying troops remain deployed around the hill. The Galilee Regional Council, cited by Channel 12, warned residents that they would hear the sound of explosions coming from southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said U.S. President Donald Trump had not asked him to refrain from attacking tunnels in southern Lebanon, contradicting reports carried by several media outlets. He also said Israeli troops would maintain a presence along the "Yellow Line," which marks the occupied buffer zone inside Lebanese territory covering around 620 square kilometers. Relations between the two allies have become somewhat strained in recent weeks, with Trump repeatedly urging Israel to halt its attacks in Lebanon to advance the diplomatic process.
During the day, the Israeli army carried out a controlled explosion in Tiri (Bint Jbeil district), fired machine guns toward Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil), dropped a stun grenade on Mansouri (Sour district), and carried out further explosions in Kounin (Bint Jbeil). An Israeli helicopter conducted sweeping fire over Majdal Zoun (Sour), while an Israeli tank shelled Braasheet (Bint Jbeil). Israeli artillery also struck the outskirts of Deir Seryan (Marjayoun).
The health ministry reported one additional death in southern Lebanon, bringing the overall death toll since the conflict began on March 2 to 4,304.
Since Saturday evening, numerous other Israeli airstrikes and controlled demolitions have been reported. Explosions were carried out in Talloussa (Marjayoun district), as well as Kounin, Haddatha, Bint Jbeil, Tiri and Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil district). Israeli military vehicles had earlier entered Beit Yahoun under heavy machine-gun fire, although it was not immediately clear whether they were conducting a sweep or engaged in clashes.
Fighter killed Saturday night
Earlier, the Israeli army said it had killed an armed fighter on Saturday in the area of southern Lebanon it occupies. Troops "identified an armed terrorist operating inside the security zone in the Majdal Zoun sector," the army said in a statement. It added that after searching the area, the soldiers "opened fire" and "eliminated" the man. It did not immediately identify him as a Hezbollah member.
According to our correspondent, Israeli army helicopters carried out two attacks on Majdal Zoun on Saturday evening — the first around 6 p.m. using machine-gun fire, and the second around 10 p.m. with missiles. No immediate information was available on casualties.
Zamir tours Beaufort Castle
The operations coincided with a visit by Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to the area around Beaufort Castle. Addressing troops, he referred to the "main surface positions, as well as the underground routes and facilities." He said the army "is ready to quickly launch offensive operations in the event of a cease-fire violation."
He also argued that "the Lebanese Army must fulfill its commitments under the historic agreement signed in Washington on June 22 between the Lebanese and Israeli negotiating teams and work to clear the area of Hezbollah terrorist elements."
Large fires and funeral ceremonies
The day also saw major fires break out in southern Lebanon, including one in Braasheet (Bint Jbeil) caused by an Israeli attack. Fires that swept through the area between Hanaway, Qana and Ramadieh (Sour) were believed to have been of natural origin, according to our correspondent. They were brought under control only by the end of the day.
Hezbollah also held funeral and burial ceremonies for around 30 people killed during the war, including civilians and rescue workers, in several villages in the Bint Jbeil district. The Amal Movement likewise organized funerals for six victims from Shehour, in the Sour district.
Reporting contributed by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah.
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