While the Israelis reported on Sunday morning that the Israeli ground operation in Khiam in the south of the country was “gathering pace,” a precarious calm was observed in Beirut's southern suburbs. However, at 9 AM, the mayor of Bourj al-Barajneh, Atef Hassan Mansour, issued an urgent evacuation call to residents.
In a statement, he said, “We ask you to stay away from areas likely to be targeted by the Israeli enemy, in order to preserve your safety and that of your loved ones.”
He added, “What happened during the raids on Haret Hreik and Roueiss resulted in a number of injuries and cases of poisoning and suffocation, after which a number of residents had to be hospitalized and are currently being treated.” According to the mayor, this calls for “great responsibility and precautions” to avoid being targeted.
In addition, the latest report from the Ministry of Health on Saturday's dawn strike on Basta el-Faouqa in the heart of Beirut left “22 people dead and 66 wounded.”
Victims in the South
There were reports of casualties in the south of the country, following early morning strikes and bombing raids on the Nabatiyeh caza in particular.
Five people were killed in Roumain. In addition, two people were killed and wounded in Deir Ez-Zarayan and Zefta, where a drone strike targeted the main street and closed the road, which was later reopened.
Also this morning, a belt of fire on Chakra (Bint Jbeil) and Baraachit, (Nabatiyeh) destroyed a large number of buildings. Three raids were also carried out on Ain Qana in Iqlim al-Tuffah.
Numerous localities were also bombed, including Yohmor al-Shaqif, Jabal al-Ahmar, Arnoun, Kfar Tibnit, Harsh Ali al-Tahir and the outskirts of Kfar Sair.
At around 7 AM this morning, an urgent Israeli evacuation call went out to the inhabitants of five southern localities, including Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Zawtar al-Gharbia, Arnoun, Yohmor and Qasiba.
In addition, Israeli warplanes targeted the Khardali road, cutting off the route between Nabatiyeh and Marjayoun, after the army and UNIFIL forces had opened it on Saturday following a raid.
On Saturday night, Israeli forces shelled the outskirts of al-Mari, near the army checkpoint, with phosphorus shells. Raids were also carried out on Khiam, laying booby traps and blowing up houses after the destruction of the Tayr Harfa mosque.
Other night strikes targeted Kfarchouba, Khiam, Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, Nmairiya, Charqiya, leading to the injury of three members of the Islamic Health Authority.
Meanwhile, ground fighting continued in Deir Mimas, where Israeli soldiers are deployed with tanks between the olive groves and near the monastery to the west of Deir Mimas. Israeli soldiers have gained ground in this locality and are now in the triangle of Tal al-Nahas, Kfar Kila and Koulayaa. Clashes also broke out between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli soldiers in the triangle of Maroun al-Ras, Ainata and Bint Jbeil.
24 Killed and 45 Wounded in the Beqaa Valley
According to the Israeli army, the military infrastructure at the Jusiya border crossing in the northern Beqaa, “used by Hezbollah to transport weapons from Syria to Lebanon,” was attacked at around 11 AM on Sunday.
In addition, “24 people were killed and 45 injured on Saturday (yesterday) in the Baalbeck-Hermel caza,” according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
They are listed as follows: five killed and five wounded in Bodai, one killed and three wounded in Fakhani, 13 killed and 13 wounded in Chmestar, four killed and three wounded in Flaoui, one killed in Brital, three wounded in Hourtaala and 18 wounded in Ras el-Ain.
Incessant Hezbollah Ripostes
Meanwhile, Hezbollah's ripostes continued. In particular, it claimed to have targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Deir Mimas triangle and on the outskirts of Chamaa and Bayada, where ground clashes are still underway.
Hezbollah also said it had shelled the Israeli settlement of Kfar Blum with rockets.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee announced the death of one of its members, Hussein Hassan, who was killed in the Israeli strike on Batouliyeh in the caza of Tyre.
https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/articles/1302009/escalating-violence-across-lebanon-on-sunday