Lebanese Civil Defense rescuers inspect the rubble in Zawtar Gharbieh, southern Lebanon, after the Lebanese Army's deployment to the village on July 24, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — The Israeli army on Wednesday accused Hezbollah of violating the cease-fire after what it said was the launch of an explosive-laden drone targeting an Israeli military vehicle near the strategic Ali al-Taher hill in the Nabatieh district.
The party has not claimed responsibility for the operation, but Israel says it is considering a response, according to Israeli media, raising the risk of further escalation.
"During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Hezbollah launched an explosive-laden drone at an Israeli army engineering vehicle in the area of the Ali Taher ridge, within the 'security zone,'" the Israeli army said in a statement.
It added that the attack caused no injuries and called it a "blatant violation of the cease-fire agreement." The Israeli army said it would continue its operations in the area and would not allow "terrorist elements" to strengthen themselves or plan attacks against its forces there.
According to The Times of Israel, citing security officials, Israel is examining how to respond to the attack. Earlier in the day, several Israeli media outlets, including Yedioth Ahronoth and Channel 14, had already reported that the government was considering retaliatory measures. According to Lebanese media citing a local source, the drone was intended to prevent Israeli forces from carrying out earthworks in the area.
Questioned by L'Orient-Le Jour, a Hezbollah source simply responded: "When we carry out an operation, we claim it proudly."
The pro-Iran party has not claimed any attacks against the Israeli army since June 20. The same source nonetheless believes another escalation remains "unlikely."
Destruction of homes and new Israeli position
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Israeli artillery on Wednesday morning shelled Ali al-Taher hill and Nabatieh Fawqa. Five missiles also targeted Kfar Tibnit, where the Israeli army destroyed several homes with explosives. It also destroyed several homes in Taybeh, in the Marjayoun district.
In the afternoon, four incendiary bombs were dropped twice on the Ali al-Taher area, which had already been targeted by Israeli strikes during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. This strategic area has often been the scene of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah and could be at the center of any potential new escalation.
Israeli artillery also targeted the outskirts of Arnoun, in the same region, as well as a demolition operation between Mais al-Jabal and Houla, in the Marjayoun district.
Meanwhile, an Israeli army unit on Wednesday established a new position in the Shmeis sector, on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, in the Hasbaya district, where it installed technical equipment, according to our correspondent. Israeli tanks and bulldozers were also seen carrying out leveling operations in the area.
On Wednesday morning, Merkava tanks were seen heading toward Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district, from Aita al-Shaab, while a machine-gun sweep operation was conducted in the area, even though Haddatha is not part of the "yellow line" permanently occupied by the Israeli army, which nonetheless regularly conducts incursions nearby.
The previous night was also marked by several explosions. After 10 p.m., Israeli army demolition operations in Zawtar Sharqieh were heard in nearby villages, while a large explosion occurred near Qantara, in the MarjAyoun district. After 11 p.m., another blast destroyed several homes in Talloussa, also in the Marjayoun district. At dawn, another major demolition was reported on state-owned land in Mansouri, in the Sour district.
Reporting contributed by our southern Lebanon correspondent, Munstasser Abdallah
