Israeli airstrikes in south Lebanon spark forest fires, grenades land near UN peacekeepers

The Israeli military launched powerful airstrikes early Friday morning in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, igniting fires in forested areas.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli warplanes carried out a series of intense strikes at around 5:10 a.m. local time (2:10 GMT), targeting the Ali al-Taher woodlands on the northern outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. No casualties were reported.

Videos of the strikes were shared online.

"The aircraft dropped a number of concussion missiles, which caused massive blasts that echoed across various areas in the south, igniting large fires in the woodlands," the NNA said.

The strikes reportedly caused structural damage and cracks in dozens of homes near the targeted areas. Glass windows in many homes and commercial shops were also shattered.

According to the NNA, this is the fourth time the Ali al-Taher woodlands have been subjected to such a wave of airstrikes since the end of the 66-day war between Israel and Hezbollah last year.

Commenting on the incident, the Israeli military said it had targeted a Hezbollah site believed to contain weapons, military structures, and underground infrastructure. The army claimed it had detected Hezbollah activity at the site prior to the strike.

The target was a location used for "fire control and defense operations" by Hezbollah in the Jabal Shqif area of southern Lebanon, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X.

He said the presence of such a site violates the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon, adding that the army "will continue to act to eliminate any threat to Israel."

Later on Friday, the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that Israeli forces had dropped grenades near its personnel the previous day, urging Israel to halt such attacks.

"Yesterday, the Israel Defence Forces dropped grenades near peacekeepers working alongside Lebanese soldiers to provide security for civilian workers" in the southern town of Maroun al-Ras, a UNIFIL statement said, adding that no injuries were reported.

The peacekeeping force called on the Israeli army "to cease attacks on or near peacekeepers, civilians, and Lebanese soldiers, and to allow us to carry out our mandated tasks without obstruction."

Over a year of cross-border hostilities escalated into full-scale war in September 2024, ending with a US-brokered ceasefire in November. Since then, Israel has repeatedly violated the truce.

The conflict significantly weakened Hezbollah’s military capabilities, and the Israeli military has continued operations it says are aimed at preventing the group’s resurgence.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon, but Israeli forces continue to occupy several strategic border sites.

Tel Aviv says it will not withdraw until Hezbollah is fully disarmed – a main condition stipulated in the agreement.

The Lebanese government has pledged to establish a monopoly on all arms outside state control.

In related developments, sources in Washington and Beirut said this week that the US administration of President Donald Trump had approved $230 million in aid to Lebanon’s security forces.

A Lebanese source familiar with the decision said the funding included $190 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces and $40 million for the Internal Security Forces (ISF).

The Lebanese source said the funding would allow the ISF to take over internal security in Lebanon so the army can focus on other critical missions.

The army is expected to brief the cabinet next week on progress made in disarmament efforts in the south.