Israeli military operations have intensified in southern Lebanon , specifically targeting areas within the Nabatieh district.. Lebanese authorities report that the ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of over a million people since early March .
The use of phosphorus shells in Nabatieh al-Fawqa
On Friday, Israeli artillery and phosphorus shells struck several locations within the Nabatieh district. According to Lebanese state media, the strikes hit the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The report specifically noted that phosphorus shells were utilized during the attacks on Nabatieh al-Fawqa and in renewed strikes against Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, raising concerns about the nature of the munitions being used in these residential areas.
The failure of the June framework agreement
The recent escalation in the Nabatieh , Marjayoun, and Bint Jbeil districts suggests that the June framework deal is failing to stabilize the border. This agreement was intended to facilitate a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the south. However, the ongoing shelling indicates that military operations on the ground are continuing despite the existence of this diplomatic arrangement .
This volatility occurs wiithin a broader regional landscape of shifting alliances and tensions. While the Lebanese front remains active, other regional actors are navigating their own crises, such as Iran's recent proposals to the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The instability in southern Lebanon is not an isolated event but part of a wider pattern of conflict that includes settler violence in the West Bank.
A death toll of 4,386 and 1 million displaced residents
The humanitarian impact of the conflict has reached a critical threshold since the violence intensified in early March. Lebanese authorities report that at least 4,386 people have been killed and 12,407 have been wounded during this period. Furthermore,the scale of the crisis is underscored by the fact that more than one million people have been displaced from their homes, creating a massive movement of populations across the country.
Unexploded aerial bombs in Majdal Selm and Al-Ghandouriyah
In addition to active shelling, the presence of unexploded ordnance continues to endanger local populations in the Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil districts. Lebanese army specialists were recently tasked with dismantling two unexploded Israeli aerial bombs found in Majdal Selm and Al-Ghandouriyah. The specialists successfully moved the munitions to a safe location to prevent further civilian casualties from accidental detonations.
Can the Lebanese army fulfill the June deal's security mandate?
The persistence of Israeli strikes, as the report says, leaves several critical questions regarding the future of the June framework. It remains unverified whether the Lebanese army possesses the necessary capacity to assume full security responsibilities in the south as the agreement requires.. Additionally, the report does not clarify if the continued use of phoshporus shells represents a change in Israeli military doctrine or a standard response to local conditions. Finally, it is unclear if the disarmament of Hezbollah—a central pillar of the June deal—remains a realistic objective given the current intensity of the fighting.
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