Heavy Israeli Strikes Rock Southern Lebanon Following Hezbollah Drone Attack

Israeli airstrikes killed at least four people and wounded more than a dozen others across southern Lebanon on Saturday after Hezbollah launched explosive drones toward Israeli troops operating in the area, Lebanese and Israeli authorities said.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah had sent two explosive-laden drones toward its forces operating around the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon earlier in the day. Israeli troops intercepted one of the drones, and no soldiers were injured, the military said.

The Israeli army described the attack as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire and said it had begun striking Hezbollah targets in response.

Among the locations hit was the southern town of Arabsalim, where an Israeli airstrike struck a building that had earlier been the subject of an evacuation warning issued by the Israeli military. Reports said two people were killed in the attack.

Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokeswoman, issued an urgent warning on X addressed to Lebanese residents, particularly those living in Arabsalim.

She said the Israeli army did not intend to harm civilians but accused Hezbollah of forcing Israel to take military action through what she described as its violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Residents inside a building marked on an accompanying map, as well as those in neighboring buildings, were instructed to leave immediately and move at least 300 meters away.

The military said the targeted building was located near a Hezbollah facility against which Israeli forces intended to operate, warning that anyone remaining in the area would be at risk.

Heavy Strikes Around Nabatiyeh

Israeli warplanes also carried out heavy strikes at dawn on Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa and the industrial area of nearby Kfarreman, in the Nabatiyeh district. Powerful explosions were heard across the surrounding region.

Another airstrike hit the area around Dar al-Muallimeen along the main road in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa.

Lebanese media also reported that the strikes destroyed the Ghandour Hospital in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa. According to the reports, the facility had been evacuated and was empty of patients and medical staff when it was hit.

Four Killed, 16 Wounded

Lebanon’s Health Ministry, citing preliminary figures from its Emergency Operations Center, said four people had been killed and at least 16 others wounded in the Israeli strikes.

In Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, two people were killed and two others injured.

Eight people, including a woman and a young girl, were wounded in the Al-Rahibat neighborhood of Nabatiyeh, the ministry said.

In Arabsalim, two people were killed and six others wounded, including two young girls.