BEIRUT: An Israeli combat drone struck a motorcyclist in the border town of Mais al-Jabal on Wednesday, killing the motorcyclist, a Hezbollah member, and wounding another.
Hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah intensified following the attack.
Throughout Tuesday night, retaliatory strikes took place in the border area, in what residents described as one of the most intense operations since the southern front was mobilized nearly a year ago.
The escalation began with the arrival in Beirut of the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fonteles.
The border situation is expected to be a key topic during the meeting with Lebanese officials.
At dawn, Israeli warplanes launched more than 15 airstrikes targeting forests and orchards between the outskirts of Zivkin and the village of Klaile, creating a belt of fire.
In the footage, children can be heard screaming and elderly people praying inside a home as an earthquake strikes nearby.
Israeli warplanes also struck the outskirts of Yater and Rashaya Al-Fakhar villages, orchards and valleys near Qlaileh, Zibqin, Al-Ḥaniyya, Majdal Zoun, Tayr Harfa villages, and the outskirts of Deir Seryan and Zawtar Al-Charkieh villages. Warplanes also struck Naqoura.
Two Israeli drones exploded in a park in the village of Maroon Alas, damaging facilities.
An Israeli military spokesman said the military had targeted “approximately 30 Hezbollah rocket launchers and military installations in four areas in southern Lebanon that pose a threat to Israeli civilians.” Israeli forces also targeted the southern Lebanese area of Daya with artillery fire.
The missile attacks raised questions about why Israel had been attacking the valley every day for nearly two weeks.
Political analyst Ali Amin told Arab News that “despite the difficulties the Israeli army is facing in its conflict with Hezbollah, it appears that it is preparing for a long-term war. The Israeli army has previously announced the mobilization of its mountain brigades and plans to separate the eastern and western (mountain) ranges in southern Lebanon.”
“The forested area, which has been under bombardment for two weeks, is known to be off-limits to civilians and is home to a Hezbollah military base, making movement nearly impossible,” said Al-Amin, a resident of the border area.
“Israel is actively working to divide and constantly monitor the southern region after technical communication between party members and the leadership was cut off.”
He said increased shelling in forests and valleys and the failure to target Hezbollah and protect civilians were signs of a growing danger.
He stressed that it should not be assumed that Israel would target civilians in its bombing of the south.
“This escalation could mark a new phase in the war, which is now in its first year.”
On August 25, Israel attacked forested areas and valleys in the villages of Iqlim Al-Tuffah, Kunin, Zawtar, Rachaf, Deir Siriane, Chamaa, Rihan, Kfar Melki, Beit Yahoun, Ain Qana, Zebqin, Hadatha and other towns. This coincided with Hezbollah's response to the assassination of military leader Fuad Shukr.
At the time, Israel claimed it had “thwarted Hezbollah's retaliation by bombing 6,000 rocket launchers in southern Lebanon.”
On August 30, similar Israeli attacks were recorded in Majdal Zun, Al-Jabeen, Sheheen, Alma Al-Shaab, Hamoul, Wadi Hassan and Naqoura.
On September 4, Israeli aircraft carried out 14 airstrikes against launch pads at Al-Zabeen, Jawtar el-Charkieh, and Lamiya.
On September 6 and 7, Israeli warplanes carried out more than 20 airstrikes on the forested areas of Srifa, Frun, al-Gandouriya, Yater, Kabrika, and Ainata.
Israel Army Radio confirmed on Wednesday that “the army targeted Hezbollah positions and the air force destroyed about 25 rocket launch sites.”
The slain Hezbollah member was Hani Ezzedine, born in 2001 and from Deir Qa'nun en Na'ar in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah targeted “Israeli soldiers gathered near the Alahib compound with missile weapons” and “the Rwayzat al-Qarne compound and the Jabbeen barracks in the Shebaa farms in occupied Lebanon.” It confirmed there were casualties.
Hezbollah said it “successfully attacked bunkers manned by enemy fighters at the al-Mattala base using appropriate weapons.”
Israeli military operations advanced deeper into the southern and western Bekaa region on Tuesday, extending more than 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border to some of the targeted cities.
