By Saleh al-Batati
A wave of Israeli strikes, artillery fire and drone activity hit southern and eastern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanese state media reported, in a rapidly escalating pattern of attacks spanning multiple districts.
The reported incidents included shelling of the towns of Qantara and al-Qusayr in the southeastern Marjayoun district, artillery fire in the nearby town of Yohmor al-Shaqif, and strikes on other sites south of the Mediterranean city of Tyre, Lebanon's National News Agency said. It also reported drone activity over villages in the Zahrani area of southern Lebanon, as well as over Beirut's southern suburbs and Baalbek, a city northeast of Beirut. Gunfire and explosions were also heard in parts of Lebanon's increasingly besieged south.
The Israeli military referred reporters to its previous statements on Saturday, in which it said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. It cited what it said were "immediate threats" to Israeli troops and civilians.
Israel's military also issued a warning Saturday to residents in southern Lebanon, advising civilians not to move south of the designated village lines or approach the Litani, Hasbani and Saluki river areas. It also barred access to a list of southern border villages, including for residents of those areas wishing to return, citing security concerns.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent days, marking a further deterioration in security conditions and endangering the cease-fire President Trump extended on Thursday evening.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 25, 2026 07:43 ET (11:43 GMT)
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