Israeli forces shell towns, burn fields in southern Lebanon

Israeli forces shelled border towns in southern Lebanon on Monday and demolished homes while setting agricultural land ablaze, Lebanese state media reported, as violations of a fragile US-brokered truce continued.

Attacks on border towns

Lebanon's National News Agency said Israeli artillery struck Mansouri in the South Governorate on Monday, while bulldozing operations were underway in Houla, Nabatieh Governorate. In Khiam, forces stationed there demolished homes in the western neighborhood near Al-Mabarrat schools, sending plumes of heavy smoke over the area as successive explosions rang out.

Agricultural destruction

Israeli troops also set fire to agricultural properties inside Khiam, the agency added, causing flames to spread across several districts. The burning of fields coincided with continued Israeli military movements in the border region, leaving residents on high alert and heightening tensions.

Truce violations mount

The assaults persist despite a US-sponsored framework agreement signed between Beirut and Tel Aviv on June 26, which provides for gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for Lebanese army deployment and the disarmament of armed groups. Israeli forces maintain positions in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, while advancing more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current offensive.

Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 4,348 people and injured 12,307 others in Lebanon, according to authorities, while displacing more than 1 million civilians. Israel maintains occupations in Palestinian and Syrian territories and continues to reject withdrawal demands and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under relevant UN resolutions.