Homes destroyed by Israel in Zawtar Gharbieh in July 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
SOUTH LEBANON — Israeli forces committed a series of attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday, with troops advancing, destroying and demolishing homes, while the Ali Taher heights remained under fire.
Israeli forces carried out several demolition operations during the day between Tiri and Kounin, in the Bint Jbeil district, as well as in Mais al-Jabal and Qantara, in the Marjayoun district, where two successive explosions were heard. In Zawtar Sharqieh, in the Nabatieh area, the Israeli army continued demolishing homes, according to L’Orient Today correspondent.
Around northern Mais al-Jabal, near Wadi al-Jamal, Israeli troop movements were accompanied by artillery fire targeting a house and machine-gun fire. Further east, three Israeli military vehicles were spotted moving through Chebaa before reaching the vicinity of a Lebanese Army barracks in the Barakeh al-Naqqar area. At dawn, Israeli forces accompanied by two Merkava tanks advanced toward the outskirts of Kfar Shuba.
Israeli military vehicles were also spotted moving in Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district. A armored force advanced toward the town's northwestern outskirts, while a Merkava tank fired several shells, sparking a fire in the area. Five artillery shells were also fired from the Dishon position, near Malikiya in Israel, toward the outskirts of Kounin and Braasheet, in Bint Jbeil district.
Ali Taher heights come under Israeli fire
Late Saturday morning, Israeli artillery fire targeted the Mashaa neighborhood of Mansouri, which had remained under fire throughout Friday after an evacuation order was issued on Thursday. Artillery fire again targeted the town in the late afternoon. An Israeli army drone also dropped a stun grenade near Haniyeh, in the Sour district.
The Ali Taher heights, which Israel appears determined to control, came under heavy fire overnight Friday into Saturday and on Saturday morning. In the early afternoon, an Israeli drone dropped explosive canisters on the Ali Taher hills.
In Zawtar Gharbieh, the Israeli army also extended its earth embankment into the town's perimeter, to within around 100 meters of the village square. The Lebanese Army remains positioned at its original site, only a few meters from the new embankment.
Three Lebanese soldiers were injured while defusing unexploded ordnance in the town, one of them moderately, the Lebanese Army said Saturday on X.
Israeli aircraft and drones continued to fly at low altitude over Zawtar Gharbieh. The town's mayor, Abed Ezzeddine, told L'Orient-Le Jour that an Israeli drone flew at low altitude over a prefabricated building the municipality had installed as a temporary headquarters after its original building was recently destroyed. “The drone surprised us by approaching the new center at extremely close range, to the point that it stopped in front of the entrance,” he said, adding that he was inside with several members of the municipal council. “I asked them to open the door so it could see what was inside.”
According to Ezzeddine, the drone remained at the entrance for some time, filming and conducting surveillance, before leaving and returning a second time. After those inside had left, it continued to fly over the entrance and film the site from outside, without entering the building. The mayor's official said such incidents had become frequent. “They say this is a pilot zone, but it seems it will remain an open space for Israeli drone overflights and continued violations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the night was marked by an increase in artillery fire, sweeps and explosions in several areas of south Lebanon, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent.
The Ali Taher heights came under repeated Israeli artillery fire, including dozens of shells during the evening. An Israeli helicopter also conducted a machine-gun sweep of the area. An Israeli drone was also spotted flying at low altitude over Mansouri.
At dawn on Saturday, on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, an Israeli infantry force accompanied by two Merkava tanks advanced toward the Shammis area. Soldiers conducted search operations in wooded areas where the Israeli army had started fires two days earlier. Intermittent automatic-weapons fire was also reported from the Radar site toward the outskirts of Shebaa.
Israeli fire also hit several towns and villages across south Lebanon. Mansouri and the outskirts of Nabatieh Fawqa were targeted by artillery fire. In Mansouri, one of the targeted houses caught fire. Sweeping fire from automatic weapons was also reported toward Majdal Zoun and Byout al-Siyad, in the Sour district, while Deir Siryane and Qantara, in the Marjayoun district, also came under machine-gun fire.
In the Marjayoun district, the Israeli army carried out several explosions. Two successive explosions were reported in Houla, while several houses were destroyed in Mais al-Jabal. Houses were also destroyed in Tallouseh and Qantara. Violence continued at dawn on Saturday, with further artillery fire targeting the Wadi Hujeir and Mansouri, accompanied by sweeping fire toward Deir Siryane and Qantara.
Damage to water infrastructure
Israeli forces also caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure overnight. The municipality of Shaqra said a well supplying water to more than 17,000 residents had sustained severe damage after the building housing it was bombed. The municipality said the well was the town's main source of water and that it was seeking an alternative solution to ensure residents' water supply.
According to a toll compiled by L’Orient Today’s correspondent for the previous day, the Israeli army carried out 15 explosions targeting homes and infrastructure in six towns and villages across south Lebanon. Seven occurred in Haddatha, two in Houla and three in Zawtar Sharqieh. Kounin, Taybeh and Qantara were each hit by one explosion. Several houses were also set on fire.
In its latest tally published Friday evening, the Health Ministry said Israeli attacks had killed 4,335 people and wounded 12,273 since the war between Israel and Hezbollah resumed on March 2.
Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr and Qasmieh bridges undergoing rehabilitation
On Saturday, maintenance work continued on the damaged Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr bridge in the Nabatieh district. The route is important because it connects the Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun districts.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport began paving work on the coastal Qasmieh bridge, which connects Sour to Saida and the rest of Lebanon.