General Security personnel deploy on a road in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, Sept. 10, 2026. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)
BEIRUT — Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar’s promise to Nabatieh, made after a high-level security meeting in the Baabda Presidential Palace, is so far being fulfilled. After calling the city’s mayor, Abbas Fakhereddine, and assuring him that the state would not “abandon” Nabatieh, General Security and State Security units deployed on the city’s roads.
This move marks a new visible mobilization of security forces following the Lebanese Army’s reinforced deployment earlier in the week.
Personnel from both security agencies took up positions on several main roads, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent. However, the agencies still face difficulties returning to their headquarters in Nabatieh because of the security situation following last weekend’s escalation.
The General Security center is in the University District, an area repeatedly targeted by strikes and shelling, while the State Security center, in the Grand Serail, was destroyed in a deadly Israeli strike in April that caused numerous casualties among its personnel.
Earlier, Hajjar assured residents that the state “will not abandon” the city, which was targeted by deadly bombardment last weekend after Israel captured neighboring Ali Taher hill. He said he planned to strengthen the city’s security presence, calling it a “national responsibility at this stage, in order to ensure the protection of citizens and guarantee the continuity of administrative operations and services.”
“The presence of institutions and services will therefore be reinforced, notably that of the Internal Security Forces [ISF] and those under the Interior Ministry, as soon as restoration work on the government serail is completed,” he promised.
In recent days, Nabatieh’s fate has prompted reactions from residents, activists and political leaders who fear the city could meet the same fate as border towns razed by Israel, such as Bint Jbeil and Khiam. The fears emerged after Israel announced that it had taken “operational control” of neighboring Ali Taher hill, where Hezbollah has tunnels and a base that the Israeli army aims to demolish.
Residents and officials subsequently demanded that the army deploy in the city to disarm the party and remove “any pretext” for an Israeli offensive. The Lebanese Army reinforced its units, whose patrols were warmly welcomed by residents.
The U.S. Embassy interpreted the response as “popular support for the Lebanese state.”
“Every day, the Lebanese people make it clear they prefer Lebanese state institutions over Hezbollah’s weapons. Southern Lebanon does not belong to regional actors or militias,” the embassy wrote on X, referring to Iran’s support for Hezbollah.
“The United States applauds these communities and supports the government of Lebanon in its stated goal to assert sovereignty, enforced by the [Lebanese Army], and ensure that the decisions of war and peace lie exclusively with the Lebanese state,” it added.
For his part, Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel urged authorities to proceed with disarming Hezbollah, calling on them to “quell the rebellion” of the party, which refuses to disarm north of the Litani River. At a news conference, Gemayel said a “crucial question” had arisen over the concrete implementation of executive decisions to restore the state’s monopoly on arms. He also warned of the risk that Israeli attacks could spread beyond the South.
“The existence of another Ali Taher in the Bekaa, in Beirut, in Metn or in Kesrouan means that everyone is under threat,” he said.
Massive Israeli demolitions in Mansouri, Beni Hayan
Elsewhere in the South, the Israeli army continues to demolish villages in the occupied border area at an accelerated pace, with explosions heard constantly along the frontier. Israel has particularly targeted two villages since Thursday morning: Mansouri (Sour), one of its most frequent targets for weeks, and Beni Hayan (Marjayoun). Dozens of demolition operations have taken place in the two villages since the morning. More than 40 explosions had already shaken Mansouri the previous day.
Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun) was also targeted. Around 12:30 p.m., the Israeli army carried out a massive demolition that destroyed a waste treatment plant, several houses, and industrial and agricultural sites.
Israeli attacks also continued elsewhere, including a midday airstrike on an area between Zebqine and Shihine. In Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), an incursion accompanied by heavy machine-gun and artillery fire sparked a blaze. Near Braasheet (Bint Jbeil), a Merkava tank was seen taking up a position on a hill overlooking the village.
The day had been tense since morning. Around 7 a.m., artillery fire targeted Wadi Zebqine (Sour), Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), Braasheet (Bint Jbeil) and the heights of Halta (Hasbaya). Heavy machine-gun fire also targeted Haddatha (Bint Jbeil) and, again, Halta.
Reporting by our southern Lebanon correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah
