Israeli aircraft and artillery have pounded southern Lebanon for a second consecutive day, killing a woman in the town of Arabsalim and destroying swathes of farmland, as clashes with Hezbollah threaten to unravel a fragile truce.
Air raids and shelling reported across the south
Lebanese state news agency NNA said Israeli warplanes carried out two waves of strikes on the Ali al-Tahir forest east of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Flash bombs were used, with explosions heard in nearby districts and thick smoke rising over the area.
Artillery targeted the outskirts of Mayfadoun and Eastern Zawtar, while overnight airstrikes hit terrain between the two villages. An Israeli unit occupied a house on the al-Sawan hill near Mayfadoun.
Two strikes hit the city of Tyre and the village of Mansouri, with another targeting the Wadi Hassan area on the edge of Tayr Harfa. The stretch between Tayr Harfa and Majdal Zoun was bombed twice. Mansouri and Majdal Zoun came under heavy bombardment.
Fires and fortifications along the border
In the Marjayoun district, shelling was reported in Meiss el-Jabal, Markaba and Bani Hayyan. Military vehicles were seen moving, along with earthworks and fires. An artillery strike on the Marjayoun plain at the foot of Hamamas hill sparked a blaze.
Israeli aircraft also struck the Litani riverbed near Deir Mimas. In Kfar Kila and Tell Nahas, Israeli forces erected earth barriers at crossroads.
In the Bint Jbeil area, artillery shelled Aynata and Beit Lif. Heavy machine-gun fire was directed at vehicles leaving Hilet Harissa. In Nabatieh, a powerful strike hit Zawtar al-Sharqiya. A drone fired a guided missile at a car on the Dawhat Kfar Roumman road, damaging the vehicle but causing no casualties.
Civilian toll and humanitarian strain
Lebanon’s health ministry and NNA reported that a woman was killed in Arabsalim after an airstrike destroyed her home — 48 hours after her wedding. Six people were wounded, including a child, a woman and two elderly residents. Security sources said at least ten strikes hit the Nabatieh area.
The Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah weapons storage sites in response to the group’s launch of drones at Israeli forces on the Ali al-Tahir ridge.
The Lebanese health ministry said 4,346 people have been killed and 12,301 wounded since March 2, while Lebanese authorities put the toll at 4,350 dead and 12,307 injured. More than a million people have been displaced. In Tayr Debba, one person was injured by the explosion of an unexploded ordnance.
White phosphorus and agricultural devastation
Lebanese military sources said Israeli forces shelled areas around Bani Hayyan, the Dabsha district and large parts of Nabatieh with white phosphorus on Wednesday, causing major fires and damaging farmland and woodland.
Mohammed al-Husseini, head of the Association of Farmers of South Lebanon, said 57,000 hectares had been completely burned — around 22% of the region’s agricultural land. A further 19,000 hectares require rehabilitation because of damage to wells and irrigation systems.
Lebanese researchers estimate that agricultural losses exceeded $572 million by mid-2026, including $530 million in direct production losses and $42 million in destroyed infrastructure. The overall cost of the conflict to Lebanon’s economy is estimated at about $20 billion.
Diplomacy under strain
The Israeli military began intensive air strikes on Lebanon on March 2 and occupied a number of villages in the south. The attacks have affected four districts — Tyre, Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil and Nabatieh — and have been accompanied by destruction, the construction of barriers and troop movements.
A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into force on April 17 and was extended several times. On June 26, after a fifth round of direct talks in Washington, the sides signed a framework agreement. Sixth and seventh rounds were held in Rome on July 14–15.
However, the Israeli military said Hezbollah launched two drones into Israeli airspace on August 27, breaching the ceasefire. One drone was shot down and contact with the second was lost. In response, Israel struck Arabsalim and Kfar Roumman.
Israeli forces said operations against the group continue “at full strength” to counter what they described as repeated attempts to harm Israeli troops. Continued fighting and violations of agreements are creating obstacles to stabilisation and a peaceful settlement in southern Lebanon.
