The Israeli military said Monday it launched strikes on military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah and Hamas in the Sidon district, north of the Litani River.
Following the attack, rescue and ambulance teams rushed to the scene. Members of the Popular Rescue Regiment affiliated with the Maarouf Saad Foundation evacuated a wounded man and transferred him to Al-Raai Hospital in the city of Sidon for treatment.
In a post on X, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the strikes hit weapons depots and military facilities, both above and below ground, which he claimed were used by Hezbollah to rebuild its capabilities and advance what he termed “terrorist plans.” He added that Israeli forces also targeted weapons production sites linked to Hamas in southern Lebanon, alleging they were used to arm the group and plan attacks against Israeli forces and the State of Israel.
Adraee further stated that the targeted sites were deliberately located within civilian areas, accusing the groups of using Lebanese civilians as human shields. He said the Israeli army took steps prior to the strikes to minimize civilian harm, including issuing advance warnings to residents in the affected locations.
“The activity of terrorist organizations at these sites constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and poses a threat to the State of Israel,” Adraee said, adding that the Israeli military would continue to act to neutralize any such threats.
According to the NNA, the strike on Al-Manara in eastern Lebanon caused "the complete destruction of a house and serious damage to surrounding houses, cars and commercial establishments". The NNA said the home targeted in Al-Manara belonged to Sharhabil Sayed, a Hamas leader in Lebanon who was killed by Israel in 2024.
Israeli Concerns
In parallel, the Israeli news website Walla reported, citing Israeli security sources, that there is no intention to reduce the Israeli military presence along the Lebanese border. The report said Israeli operations could extend even to Beirut’s southern suburbs if deemed necessary.
According to the sources, Israel is concerned over what it described as coordination between Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army, warning that such cooperation could deepen. The issue, the report added, has been conveyed to the United States.
The sources also claimed that Iran continues to transfer funds and weapons to Hezbollah, both directly and via Syria.
“Mechanism” Meeting
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized the strikes and said they raised many question marks on the eve of the meeting of the "Mechanism" committee, which aims to discuss the Lebanese army's progress in disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani River.
He said the strikes undermine efforts to prevent escalation.
The meeting in Naqoura in south Lebanon will not include civilians, as the discussions will mainly focus on military matters.
The ceasefire monitoring committee, comprising Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and U.N. peacekeepers, is also set to meet this week.
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