An Israeli strike on Qantara (Marjayoun), on Oct. 20, 2026. (Photo shared by our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah)
SOUTH LEBANON — Israeli forces are reported to have fired stun grenades at members of the Lebanese Army in the still-inhabited Christian village of Deir Mimas (Marjayoun) on Tuesday night. The Lebanese soldiers, positioned at a new post on the outskirts of the village, were fired upon from a close distance in an attempt to force them to leave.
The incident followed earlier accusations by Israel blaming the Lebanese Army of having "failed" in its mission to disarm Hezbollah. Tel Aviv and Washington are pressuring the Lebanese and Israeli militaries to coordinate directly on the ground, a sine qua non condition for the resumption of negotiations ahead of discussions in Tampa, Florida.
Several incidents have already occurred in recent weeks in Deir Mimas, situated at the bend of the Litani River and partially inhabited, despite its location in the "buffer zone" declared by Israel. In September, Israeli soldiers conducted incursions into the village, and a tense standoff broke out between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, as Israeli armored vehicles advanced toward the locality, forcing the Lebanese army to withdraw from a newly established position.
Israeli strikes continued Wednesday morning in southern Lebanon, with an air strike targeting the al-Hamra area, on the outskirts of Zawtar Sharqieh and Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh). Four shells fired by Israeli artillery also targeted the Birket Baathail area, on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya). On Tuesday night, artillery fire targeted Zawtar Sharqieh, Kfar Tibnit, and Mayfadoun (Nabatieh), as well as Mansouri and Wadi Zibqine (Sour) and Wadi al-Hojeir (Marjayoun). Overnight, Israeli forces carried out a powerful explosion near Kfar Tibnit at the same time as intense artillery bombardment targeted the locality. Automatic weapon fire was directed at Srebbine and the outskirts of Braasheet and Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil).
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