An Israeli drone flies over Beirut under a dark sky, Oct. 21, 2026. (Credit: Anwar Amro / AFP)
SOUTH LEBANON — Southern Lebanon experienced a night of heightened activity compared with previous nights, with the early hours of Friday bringing further violence to areas under Israeli occupation across the districts of Marjayoun, Sour, Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil.
A powerful explosion was heard early Friday in Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), though its nature has yet to be determined. According to our correspondent in the region, no ambulance was dispatched to the scene because of the risks involved in approaching the site of the blast, which explains why reports of possible casualties have yet to be confirmed. Another explosion was heard in the same village around midnight the previous night.
At almost the same time, an Israeli Merkava tank fired several shells at Mansouri (Sour). On Friday morning, the Israeli army fired heavy machine guns and artillery shells at areas around Wadi Slouqi, a valley separating the districts of Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil. On the edge of the valley, Israeli occupying forces set fire to woodland near Qantara. An hour earlier, a powerful explosion had shaken Majdal Zoun (Sour), with the blast heard in surrounding localities. Kfar Tibnit was also targeted by machine-gun fire, while artillery fire struck Majdal Selm (Marjayoun), as well as Qantara and Houla (Marjayoun).
These attacks come amid renewed threats against Lebanon by Israeli officials in recent days, including statements made Thursday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israeli legislative elections are scheduled for Oct. 27, amid heightened tensions.
Qantara and Wadi Hujeir had already been targeted after 10 p.m. Thursday. An hour later, Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh), Mansouri (Sour), and Haddatha, Braasheet and Shaqra (Bint Jbeil) came under Israeli artillery fire. In Bint Jbeil, shells targeted Rshaf and Srebbine around midnight.
According to Thursday's tally, Israeli attacks destroyed buildings in four villages in the South, artillery struck 12 localities, and Israeli forces carried out explosions in four others. In Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil) alone, dozens of explosions struck homes and infrastructure, according to our correspondent.
Additional reporting contributed by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah.
