Israeli army shells southern Lebanon, setting fields ablaze with phosphorus munitions

The Israeli army set olive groves and citrus orchards in southern Lebanon ablaze with phosphorus munitions Sunday amid artillery shelling and a ground incursion involving three tanks, according to Lebanese state media.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said the attacks affected towns and areas across Tyre, Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun districts.

In Tyre district, Israeli forces fired phosphorus munitions that sparked fires in olive groves and citrus orchards around the towns of Majdal Zoun and Buyout al-Sayyad.

Majdal Zoun was also hit by a series of Israeli bombings and explosions as Israeli forces carried out a sweep of the area, with a large blast later reported in the town.

Israeli artillery also struck the town of Al-Mansouri, where repeated explosions had been reported since midnight, as well as the outskirts of Buyout al-Sayyad. Israeli shelling also targeted Wadi Zibqin.

Separately, a child was injured when an unidentified object left from the war detonated in the town of Debaal. The child was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

In Nabatieh district, Israeli artillery targeted the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah toward Mayfadoun, while an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the town.

Heavy Israeli artillery fire was also reported in Yahmar al-Shaqif.

In Bint Jbeil district, Israeli artillery struck a wooded area in Aita al-Jabal.

Four 240mm artillery shells also landed on the outskirts of Haddatha toward the town of Haris, according to the agency.

In Marjayoun district, an Israeli force comprising three Merkava tanks advanced toward Deir Mimas and blocked its entrance, disrupting residents’ movement in and out of the town.

The force searched several homes during the incursion and damaged telephone poles along the road before continuing its movements in the area.

Israeli forces also fired four artillery shells at the town of Khiam and shelled Wadi al-Salouqi and Wadi al-Hujeir.

The developments came a day after the Israeli army targeted paramedics in an airstrike and set more homes ablaze while carrying out demolitions, explosions and shelling across several areas of southern Lebanon.

During the latest war, the Israeli army advanced about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) into Lebanese territory and established a security zone, or the “Yellow Line.”

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-sponsored Framework Agreement in Washington providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army to areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Despite the agreement, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon and maintains a military presence in parts of the south, including territory it has occupied for decades and other areas seized during more recent wars and military operations.