Israeli forces shell southern Lebanon, violating ceasefire agreement

Lebanon's National News Agency confirmed that Israeli artillery fired on the hills surrounding the town of Hilta in the Hasbaya district, reportedly aiming at civilians near the town's outskirts. Two individuals were injured in the town of Markaba during an attack on its center and were subsequently hospitalized.

Israeli military escalation continued with a tank shelling the outskirts of Kfar Chouba and a Merkava tank firing on the town of al-Wazzani. Reconnaissance aircraft were reported flying over villages in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, intensifying the tension.

Later in the evening, the towns of Aita al-Shaab and Bint Jbeil also came under heavy Israeli shelling.

The violence extended to members of the media. On Wednesday, two journalists covering the return of residents and the Israeli withdrawal from Khiam were injured by Israeli fire. Mohammad al-Za’tari, a reporter for the Associated Press, and Abdelkader Bay, a journalist for Sputnik, sustained injuries while on duty.

These developments mark a significant breach of the ceasefire agreement and have drawn attention to the volatile situation in southern Lebanon, where civilian and media safety remains a critical concern. (ILKHA)