Israel claims it 'neutralized' 2 individuals who crossed security zone, continues demolitions across the South

SOUTH LEBANON — Israeli strikes and demolitions continued Tuesday in southern Lebanon. On Tuesday morning, Israel fired six artillery shells at Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), where it also carried out a major demolition, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Israeli forces fired medium-caliber automatic weapons at houses in the eastern neighborhood of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), while Israeli artillery struck Wadi Slouqi, between Houla (Marjayoun) and Shaqra (Bint Jbeil), as well as several houses on the western outskirts of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun).

In the afternoon, an Israeli tank stationed in Bayyada fired several missiles at Mansouri (Sour). Detonations were reported in Majdal Zoun (Sour) and Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun). Artillery again targeted Zawtar Sharqieh, where Israeli forces also demolished a house.

Hours later, Israeli airstrikes hit the village of Qantara (Marjayoun), the outskirts of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil), and Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh). The Israeli army also carried out several detonations in Mansouri and others in Majdal Zoun (Sour) and Bani Hayan (Marjayoun). It blew up homes in Houla (Marjayoun), and an Israeli truck loaded with explosives was also spotted in Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh).

Moreover, Israeli forces in Bayyada (Sour) opened machine-gun fire toward Mansouri, and an Israeli force entered the house of al-Hajli family in Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya) before opening fire at the village.

Israeli artillery shelling also targeted Haddatha (Bint Jbeil) and Mansouri (Sour).

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon intensified sharply on Monday, following Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's speech on the second anniversary of the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah. Qassem reiterated that his party would not give up armed resistance and again denounced the direct negotiations initiated by Lebanese authorities with Israel, which are currently suspended.

In a statement published late Monday, the Israeli army said it had spotted during the day two "suspects who entered the security zone and approached" its positions. "The army then fired on them and neutralized them. Nobody in our ranks was injured, and the incident is under investigation," the statement added, without giving further details about where the incident took place. Hezbollah did not comment.

Around 20 shells on Mansouri

On Monday evening, the Israeli army carried out a series of operations, notably in Mansouri (Sour), which was hit several times by around 20 shells, in addition to detonations and bursts of automatic weapons fire. The locality of Khiam (Marjayoun) also carried out a detonation, and flares were fired in the area. Another detonation was reported at Alman al-Shoumarieh (Marjayoun), while strikes targeted Wadi Zebqine (Sour).

In the Nabatieh district, a Merkava tank fired two shells at Jal al-Shehab near Kfar Tibnit, as Israeli military vehicles moved around Arnoun. Artillery fire also hit Kfar Tibnit, Nabatieh Fawqa, as well as the outskirts of Zawtar Sharqieh.

Finally, artillery shelled Wadi Slouqi on the Shaqra (Bint Jbeil) side. In the same district, Israeli military vehicles were spotted in Braasheet. After midnight, medium-caliber machine guns were fired in Braasheet, while Srebbine was hit by four missile strikes.