Israeli Strikes Escalate Across South Lebanon Amid Tensions

Beirut: (Web Desk) – Israel carried out a series of air and artillery strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday after issuing evacuation warnings for more than a dozen locations, escalating tensions in the region following renewed cross-border hostilities.

Lebanon’s army reported that two of its soldiers were wounded in what it described as a “targeted” Israeli drone strike near the southern city of Nabatieh. The incident comes a day after military delegations from Lebanon and Israel held rare security talks in Washington, aimed at reducing regional tensions ahead of further US-mediated negotiations scheduled for June 2 and 3.

According to Lebanese state media, Israeli strikes hit several areas in the south, including artillery shelling near the historic Beaufort Castle. Lebanon’s Culture Minister Ghassan Salame warned that continued Israeli attacks were placing the country’s cultural heritage sites at risk.

The Lebanese presidency said President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam agreed to intensify diplomatic efforts to halt what they called “ongoing Israeli violations” ahead of the upcoming talks.

The discussions in Washington were described as “productive” by US defence official Elbridge Colby, although no formal ceasefire framework was announced. Lebanese officials continue to press for a full cessation of hostilities.

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On the ground, Lebanon’s army said its soldiers were seriously injured when their vehicle was struck by an Israeli drone near Nabatieh. Meanwhile, Israeli evacuation orders covered multiple villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, signaling a widening operational area.

Hezbollah said it responded by launching rockets toward the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona and claimed to have targeted Israeli military positions near southern border areas. The group also reported ambushing Israeli troops in separate incidents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had advanced beyond the Litani River, deepening their presence in southern Lebanon. He stated that the military was “hitting Hezbollah head on” as operations intensified.

Lebanese health authorities reported that Israeli strikes killed 11 people on Friday alone. Since the escalation began in early March, more than 3,000 deaths have been reported in Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli military actions, according to official figures.

Tensions remain high as both Israel and Hezbollah continue to accuse each other of violating existing ceasefire arrangements, while diplomatic efforts attempt to prevent further regional escalation.