Intensive Israeli Airstrikes and Ongoing Escalation in Lebanon

SadaNews - Israel is escalating its military operations in southern Lebanon, intensifying airstrikes on sites across the country amidst ongoing artillery shelling and ground operations in border towns, with the targeting scope widening and increasing international warnings about worsening humanitarian consequences.

The towns of Taybeh and Khiam witnessed a violent night, with several airstrikes and heavy artillery fire continuing until dawn. Israeli warplanes resumed their strikes this morning, targeting the city of Bint Jbeil, while artillery fire hit the town of Maroun al-Ras and the outskirts of the city.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced it targeted six Israeli Merkava tanks in the town of Taybeh since dawn on Thursday, alongside conducting three attacks on Kiryat Shmona, and one on Misgav Am opposite Adayseh, as well as a gathering of soldiers in Khirbat al-Manara opposite Hula. It also stated in reports that it carried out 29 attacks on Wednesday using missiles, drones, and artillery shells.

The continuous Israeli airstrikes since March 2 have resulted in the martyrdom of 968 people and injured 2,432 others, including 116 children and 77 women, in addition to hundreds of injured among children and women, according to official Lebanese data, amid continuous shelling and an expanding targeting area in the south.

In parallel, Israeli reports indicated that the political leadership is considering issuing instructions to the army to occupy the first line of villages in southern Lebanon, claiming it is to prevent the launch of anti-tank rockets, while security sources noted that this step is considered a "bargaining chip" for the Lebanese government. On the international front, the European Union urged Israel to cease its operations, warning of "devastating" humanitarian consequences with over one million displaced people and calling for an end to the targeting of civilians.