Two Injured as Israeli Shelling and Ground Advances Intensify in Southern Lebanon

Israeli artillery shelling has injured two people in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops advanced toward border towns and clashed with Lebanese soldiers. The injured individuals were struck during shelling on Chaqra in the Bint Jbeil district of Nabatieh governorate and subsequently transported to Tebnin hospital, according to Lebanon’s state-owned National News Agency.

Additional Israeli artillery shells landed in Wadi Nahla on the outskirts of Shuqra. Meanwhile, Israeli forces withdrew from the outskirts of Deir Mimas in Marjayoun following an earlier advance toward the town's entrance. Israel has maintained an occupation of a portion of southern Lebanon since the outbreak of war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Under a June framework agreement, the Lebanese army is tasked with gradually assuming control of the region.

The standoff at Deir Mimas began when two Israeli tanks advanced along a road toward the town, halting before a dirt barricade where Lebanese army vehicles were stationed. The Lebanese military stated that its patrol had established a temporary observation post on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in coordination with the US-backed trilateral body managing deconfliction between Israel and Lebanon.

"An Israeli occupation force approached the newly established post located within the so-called security zone and threw sound bombs in the vicinity," the Lebanese army reported. In response, the military reinforced the position, prompting a heightened state of alert. The National News Agency later reported that Israeli forces withdrew to their position in Tell en-Nhas, while Lebanese troops returned to their main base.

In a separate development, the Israeli military advanced from the municipality of al-Tiri toward the outskirts of Hadatha in the Bint Jbeil district. Israeli forces also targeted al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun with artillery fire and set fire to the public hospital in Meiss el-Jabal, with damage and casualty details remaining unavailable.

Despite the June US-brokered framework agreement intended to facilitate a gradual Israeli withdrawal, ongoing Israeli attacks have continued in southern Lebanon. Since the war erupted on March 2, Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 4,386 deaths and 12,407 injuries, contributing to an overall toll of 8,953 killed and 30,643 injured since hostilities began in October 2023, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.