Escalation intensifies in Southern Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah drone operations, and cross-border tensions
Strikes, evacuations, and drone warfare continue to surge as both sides report attacks and losses, while regional and international diplomatic efforts await a key Washington meeting.
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Southern Lebanon has witnessed since the early morning hours a dangerous Israeli escalation, with the Israeli army issuing an evacuation warning to residents of several southern villages and others in West Bekaa.
In parallel, Israeli media reported that the Israeli army informed residents of border towns that it has begun carrying out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon that will last for hours. Channel 12 in Israel also indicated active military movement along the northern border.
On the ground, Israeli warplanes have carried out since the morning a series of airstrikes targeting the towns of Yohmor al-Shqif, Kfar Tebnit, the vicinity of the orphanage in Choukin, near Rahhal shops in Toul, and the town of Aaba. The town of Hariss in the Bint Jbeil district was also targeted.
Additionally, the Israeli airstrike on the town of Aaba resulted in two fatalities and five injuries, according to the National News Agency. Israeli warplanes also renewed their strikes on the town of Kfar Reman for the second time in less than an hour.
In other Israeli attacks, a drone targeted a Civil Defense team from the Islamic Health Authority in the town of Toul in the Nabatieh district, with reports of injuries among paramedics.
الغارة الإسرائيلية على بلدة تول في قضاء النبطية جنوبي لبنان pic.twitter.com/uLdeYJ4Vmz
— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) May 11, 2026
Israeli army warnings
For its part, the spokesperson of the Israeli army Avichay Adraee issued an urgent warning on X to residents of Lebanon present in the following towns and villages: Rayhan in Jezzine, Jarjouh, Kfar Rumman, Al-Numairiyah, Arabsalim, Jmeijmeh, Mashghara, Qaliya in West Bekaa, and Harouf.
He added that in light of Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement, the army is forced to act against it with force. He said that for your safety, you must immediately evacuate your homes and move away from the villages and towns for a distance of no less than 1000 meters into open areas.
Meanwhile, "Walla News" Hebrew reported that the Israeli army is not disclosing everything that is happening along the “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, adding that officers in the Northern Command say there is an increase in Hezbollah attacks that is not being reported to the public.
Hezbollah developed the explosive drone sector after the 2024 war
While explosive drones used by Hezbollah pose a major threat to Israeli forces advancing in southern Lebanon, Israeli Army Radio reported that Hezbollah developed its explosive drone unit after the ceasefire in the previous war in 2024.
It added that in June of last year, the Israeli army attacked a large number of drone manufacturing workshops in Lebanon, and Hezbollah operatives capable of operating explosive drones received training during the previous ceasefire between November 2024 and March 2026.
In this context, a senior Israeli officer told Israeli Army Radio: “We are making technological and intelligence efforts to locate and target operators of explosive drones.”
He also reported that 10 Hezbollah members out of around 100 working on launching explosive drones toward Israel have been killed so far.
Hezbollah operations
For its part, Hezbollah announced that it targeted an Israeli force positioned inside a house in Biyader al-Faqani in the town of Tayr Harfa using two attack drones, which prompted Israeli forces to arrive to evacuate casualties.
According to Israeli Army Radio, military officials confirmed damage to an Iron Dome system in a strike carried out by a drone launched by Hezbollah.
The escalation between Israel and Hezbollah continues, with casualties and injuries reported, amid anticipation of a meeting scheduled for next Thursday in Washington between Lebanese, American, and Israeli delegations.