Lebanon reports Israeli shelling in the south of the country after the US-brokered agreement

New shelling in southern Lebanon

Lebanese media reported artillery shelling and gunfire by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon on Monday, calling it another violation of the security agreement reached between Beirut and Tel Aviv under US mediation. The state-run NNA agency reportedthat early in the morning Israeli artillery shelled the surroundings of a spring in the village of Ibl al-Saqi in the Marjayoun district — more than 10 shells fell in the area. The towns of Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in the Tyre province were also shelled, while army forces fired machine guns toward the Houjair and Saluki valleys between the Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil and Nabatieh districts. According to the agency, Israeli forces carried out an explosion in the town of Bani Hayyan in Marjayoun.

Context: talks and the agreement

The shelling came after technical military talks between Lebanon and Israel on October 20–21 in Tampa (Florida) under US auspices. They ended without an announced breakthrough or a joint statement; according to reports, the sides agreed to continue meetings amid persisting disagreements over the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The framework agreement mediated by the United States was reached on June 26: it provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups. Despite the agreement, Israel continued attacks on Lebanese territory: according to Lebanese figures, since March 2 at least 4,389 people have been killed, 12,428 wounded, and more than 1 million displaced. Israel occupies parts of southern Lebanon — some for decades, others since the 2023–2024 war, when its forces advanced roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.