Israeli Soldiers Injured, IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Tensions

Two Israeli soldiers were injured when an engineering vehicle drove over a Hezbollah explosive device in the security zone of southern Lebanon. In response, the Israeli military conducted strikes on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure, according to the IDF. On Saturday, the Israeli military continued its operations in southern Lebanon, launching successive raids on the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. One strike targeted an ambulance team heading to a previous raid site, though no casualties were reported. The National News Agency reported two raids hit the old square area and a third struck the health ambulance team of the Islamic Message Scouts and the Beit al-Talaba ambulance, also without injuries.

These strikes followed a day of extensive Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon, including artillery shelling, incursions, and explosions that injured two people. Israeli forces also reportedly set fire to the Mays al-Jabal governmental hospital. In the town of Shaqra, two individuals were wounded by Israeli artillery shelling and taken to Tibnin Governmental Hospital. Israeli vehicles advanced from the town of Al-Tiri towards the outskirts of Hada, after forces had dropped illuminating flares over Hada and Aita al-Jabal during the night. Israeli forces also carried out an explosion on the outskirts of Ainaatha, and an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near Haris.

In the Marjayoun district, tensions arose between the Lebanese army and an Israeli force near a newly established Lebanese army observation post on the outskirts of Deir Mimas. The Lebanese army stated that its patrol had set up a temporary post on September 10 to monitor civilians in agricultural areas, in coordination with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L). An Israeli force approached the post within what Israel calls the "security zone" on Friday, firing sound grenades. Following communications via the military coordination group, the Israeli force departed, and the Lebanese army returned to its base.

Separately, Israeli forces reportedly set fire to the Mays al-Jabal Governmental Hospital, an act the Lebanese Ministry of Health described as a "complete war crime." In the Tyre district, Israeli artillery shelling resumed on the towns of Al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun. Israeli forces conducted two explosions, one in Al-Mansouri and another in Al-Bayyadah, with shells also falling in Wadi al-Aziya.

These developments occur despite an initial de-escalation agreement reached on June 26 between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the United States, aimed at gradually withdrawing Israeli forces and deploying the Lebanese army. However, Israeli forces maintain control over areas in the south, and military operations continue. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks since March 2 have resulted in 4,386 deaths and 12,407 injuries, bringing the total casualties since October 8, 2023, to 8,953 dead and 30,643 wounded.