The key facts

  • The attacks affected the districts of Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun and Tyre, as well as Beirut's suburbs
  • They took place despite the US-brokered framework agreement signed in June
  • Talks in Tampa on October 20–21 ended without a joint statement

New strikes in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army carried out new airstrikes, an explosion and machine-gun fire in southern Lebanon early on Saturday morning, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported, as cited by Anadolu. The strikes hit several districts: in Nabatieh, aircraft struck an area between the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit; in the Bint Jbeil district, the surroundings of Baraachit were hit; and in Marjayoun, forces carried out an explosion in the town of Tallousa, after which a drone flew at low altitude over neighboring towns. According to the agency, machine-gun fire was also directed from the Khiam area at farmland in Ibl al-Saqi, and a separate airstrike was carried out between Adeisseh al-Qusayr and Taybeh.

Drones over Tyre and Beirut

In the Tyre district, Israeli drones flew at low altitude over the city itself and surrounding towns, reaching both banks of the Litani River in the Qasmiyeh area. According to an Anadolu correspondent, Israeli drones continued flying over Beirut's southern suburbs from the morning as well.

Context: the agreement and the Florida talks

The attacks took place despite a US-brokered framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in June and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve security disputes. The agreement provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups; however, as Anadolu notes, Israel continues military operations. Immediately before the strikes, on October 20–21, military and technical talks between Lebanon and Israel were held in Tampa, Florida, under US auspices. They ended without an announced breakthrough or joint statement; according to reports, the sides agreed to continue negotiations, but disagreements remain over the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the disarmament of Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's Ministry of Health, since March 2 the attacks have killed at least 4,386 people, 12,407 have been wounded, and more than a million people have been forced to leave their homes.