Israeli artillery targets Wadi Zibqine, outskirts of Braasheet

SOUTH LEBANON — Lebanon’s General Security Directorate reopened its center in Nabatieh on Wednesday, restoring administrative services for residents of the city and surrounding areas amid heightened security concerns in the region.

The directorate said in a statement that the Martyr Sergeant Ali Ayash General Security (GS) center had resumed “normal operations” as of Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The reopening comes amid continued security concerns in Nabatieh following Israel’s capture of the nearby Ali Taher hill and its subsequent military operations around the city. Residents and officials have called for a stronger Lebanese state security presence in Nabatieh, amid concerns over further Israeli escalation in the area.

The Lebanese Army had reinforced its deployment in Nabatieh, followed by the deployment of General Security and State Security personnel. Justice Minister Adel Nassar also toured Nabatieh on Tuesday, including a visit to the Justice Palace, amid the heightened security situation.

General security provides administrative services to residents, including passport-related applications and residency and visa procedures. Its reopening allows residents to process such applications locally rather than traveling to other regional centers.

GS said it would “exceptionally” continue accepting applications from residents of Nabatieh and surrounding areas at regional centers affiliated with its South Lebanon district, “in consideration of security conditions and residents’ safety.”

The opening comes as Israeli strikes continued targeting towns in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces dropped phosphorus bombs on the outskirts of Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), causing a large fire. Israeli artillery fire targeted Wadi Zibqine (Sour), the outskirts of Mayfadoun (Nabatieh), and the outskirts of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil) on Wednesday.

Israeli forces also fired medium machine guns toward Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh) at around 7 a.m. Machine-gun fire also targeted Haddatha, Beit Yahoun, and Aita al-Jabal (Bint Jbeil), as well as residential areas in Braasheet, according to our correspondent.

Overnight, Israeli forces carried out a series of attacks and demolitions across southern Lebanon. Three Israeli airstrikes targeted several buildings in Mansouri (Sour) after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Israeli artillery also repeatedly targeted the coastal village throughout the night.

After midnight, Israel carried out a large explosion targeting several chalets at the Hamam intersection at the northern entrance to Khiam (Marjayoun). The blast was reportedly heard as far away as the western Bekaa.

According to residents of Marjayoun, a major explosion in Khiam last night damaged the New Marjayoun Public School, prompting the temporary suspension of classes there today.

Several homes in surrounding towns were also damaged. The explosion occurred at the northern entrance of Khiam, near the town of New Marjayoun, residents said. It also caused a power outage in the area.

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After 2 a.m., Israeli forces carried out another large explosion in Mansouri, where heavy artillery fire continued to target the village. In the Bint Jbeil district, Israeli forces carried out demolitions targeting several homes on the outskirts of Braasheet. A Merkava tank stationed in Rashaf also fired several shells toward Sarbine.

Israeli forces had also fired machine guns toward Beit Yahoun, while flares were launched toward Wadi Slouqi in the direction of Tallousa (Marjayoun).

Artillery fire also targeted the hills of Halta (Hasbaya), the area between Braasheet and Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), and the outskirts of Zawtar Sharqieh toward Mayfadoun (Nabatieh). Israeli forces were also seen moving military vehicles through residential areas of Houla (Marjayoun). In Nabatieh, Israel carried out an airstrike on a building in the Deir neighborhood of Nabatieh Fawqa after 10 p.m. Tuesday. The sound of the missiles' explosions was heard across the Nabatieh area.

Tuesday's attacks recap

On Tuesday, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes targeting two localities in southern Lebanon, while the outskirts and neighborhoods of 15 villages were subjected to concentrated Israeli artillery fire. Israel also carried out a series of large explosions targeting homes, buildings, and infrastructure in four localities.

Reporting contributed by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah.