Israeli airstrikes targeting the outskirts of Mansouri (Sour) on 12 Aug. 2026. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
SOUTH LEBANON — Israeli forces demolished several public buildings and homes in Zawtar Sharqieh, in the Nabatieh district on Wednesday, including the municipal building, a public school, a kindergarten, a dispensary and another building, as Israeli attacks and demolitions continued across south Lebanon, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the South.
The Lebanese Army condemned the demolitions, saying Israeli forces were continuing to violate existing understandings and international law.
“The latest incident involved the demolition of the Zawtar Sharqieh municipality building in Nabatieh, in addition to the official school, dispensary, childcare center, and several homes in the town,” the army said in a statement. It added that the attacks were hindering its deployment in the South and preventing residents from returning to their homes.
Zawtar Sharqieh mayor told L’Orient Today that the Israeli army had blown up the buildings earlier Wednesday, after the municipality appealed to Lebanese officials to save what remained of the town. Israel was “destroying what remains of the town’s infrastructure and institutions,” he said, adding that there had been no serious action to stop the destruction.
Zawtar Sharqieh’s municipal and elected councils, residents and community representatives also condemned the demolitions, saying they targeted civilian and educational infrastructure. They called on Lebanese authorities and international and U.N. organizations to take “immediate and effective action.”
A massive explosion in Zawtar Sharqieh was also heard across the Nabatieh and Marjayoun districts, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in south Lebanon.
Education Minister Rima Karameh also condemned the destruction of educational and public institutions in southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, she said that the "targeting of schools and community facilities threatens residents’ ability to return to their towns." She stressed that the Ministry of Education remains "committed to preserving educational institutions and ensuring children’s right to education despite the escalating risks."
Israeli forces also continued military activity elsewhere in the South.
Three Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Mansouri, in the Sour district, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.
In Kafra, in the Bint Jbeil district, an Israeli drone strike at dawn targeted a site used for Ashura gatherings near Rammal Supermarket on the Kafra-al-Assi road, according to a resident. The strike directly hit the site and caused a fire. No injuries were reported.
Israeli forces also set fire to homes in Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district, while an Israeli drone dropped explosive materials over the Aita al-Jabal forest. An Israeli drone also reportedly dropped a sound bomb on Mansouri.
In the Hasbaya district, an Israeli force consisting of a D9 bulldozer and a Merkava tank reportedly advanced toward the eastern outskirts of Kfar Shuba, in the Ruwaisa Mohammad Jumaa area.
Ali Taher heights under fire
Israel continued its attacks on the strategic Ali Taher heights in the Nabatieh district overnight and into Wednesday, according to L’Orient Today’s regional correspondent.
Israeli artillery fired white phosphorus munitions at the site around 7 a.m. Wednesday, after shelling the area at around 11 p.m. Tuesday and again at 1 a.m.
Wadi Hujeir, Doha, Kfar Roummane and the area between Tallousa and Beni Hayan, in the Marjayoun district, were also shelled overnight, with machine-gun fire reported in the area.
After 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Israeli air force struck the Ain al-Tfoura area on the outskirts of Qantara toward Wadi Hujeir, according to our correspondent.
Israeli forces also carried out two major demolitions in a residential neighborhood in Haddatha, with the explosions heard as far away as Sour and Nabatieh. Machine-gun fire was directed toward the town while Israeli military vehicles moved through Beit Yahoun.
After midnight, Israeli forces carried out another demolition in Beit Yahoun and then on the outskirts of Qantara. The explosions were heard across much of southern Lebanon, as far as villages in the Zahrani region.
Machine-gun fire was also reported in Mansouri, while two further loud explosions were heard around 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. as far away as Saida.
Reporting contributed by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah
