Published August 27th, 2026 - 19:12 GMT
Highlights
Lebanese authorities say Israel’s military campaign since March 2, 2026, has killed 4,350 people, wounded 12,307 and displaced more than one million.
ALBAWABA- Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes and artillery attacks across southern Lebanon on Thursday, while Israeli forces also carried out ground operations and demolitions, in what Lebanese authorities described as continued violations of the ceasefire and understandings governing the Israeli military withdrawal.Israeli aircraft struck areas around Wadi al-Saluki, while artillery and airstrikes targeted several locations, including Mansouri, Meidoun, Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, according to Lebanese reports. Israeli drones were also reported flying over parts of southern Lebanon. The attacks followed overnight and early-morning operations across several areas of the south. In the Dabsh area near Mays al-Jabal, an Israeli force accompanied by tanks and bulldozers reportedly entered the area, burned homes and destroyed agricultural structures, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Israeli forces have also carried out demolitions and engineering operations in several southern towns in recent days. The latest escalation comes as Israel and Lebanon remain engaged in negotiations over the implementation of security arrangements, including the deployment of the Lebanese army, the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas Israel occupies in southern Lebanon.ISRAEL LAUNCHES FRESH AIRSTRIKES across southern LebanonIsraeli warplanes struck Arabsalim, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Roummane, in Nabatieh Governorate, southern LebanonSource: Bint Jbeil News pic.twitter.com/vuRZiTaS6g— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) August 27, 2026 The question of the Israeli withdrawal has become one of the most contentious elements of the process. Israel has indicated that its withdrawal will be conditional on verified action against Hezbollah, while senior Israeli officials have publicly signaled that the military intends to maintain a security presence in parts of southern Lebanon. Earlier this month, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from what he called the “security zone” and ordered preparations for a prolonged military presence. A senior U.S. official subsequently warned that a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon was inconsistent with the commitments reached under the emerging arrangements.At the same time, Israel has intensified operations against what it allegedly describes as Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli authorities say the strikes are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding military capabilities and have linked some of the latest attacks to attempted drone attacks against Israeli forces. The Israeli military said Thursday that it had struck Hezbollah weapons-storage facilities in the Nabatieh area in response to two explosive drones launched toward its forces. The escalation has also exposed growing tensions over the role of the Lebanese army. According to Israel’s Walla news outlet, Israeli officials have conveyed to Washington their dissatisfaction with the Lebanese army’s performance against Hezbollah infrastructure, arguing that Lebanese forces have failed to act effectively on locations identified by Israel. The report said Israel considers the current pilot arrangement in southern Lebanon to have failed.Lebanon has meanwhile continued to demand an end to Israeli military operations and a full withdrawal, arguing that continued Israeli attacks undermine the ceasefire and prevent displaced residents from safely returning to their homes.Lebanese authorities say Israel’s military campaign since March 2, 2026, has killed 4,350 people, wounded 12,307 and displaced more than one million.
