**Israel Conducts Airstrikes in South Lebanon and West Bekaa**
*Thursday, 27 March 2024 – Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes on several locations in south Lebanon and, for the first time in three months, in the West Bekaa region. The strikes were described by the Israeli army as a response to an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah toward Israeli positions in the so‑called security zone in southern Lebanon. The drone was shot down and caused no casualties.*
**Casualties and Damage**
– **Nabatieh – Rweiss neighbourhood**: Two people were killed and one was wounded. Two young men were reported to have been targeted while riding a motorcycle; their bodies were later transported to a local hospital. Rescue efforts were underway in the Maifadoun area of the Nabatieh district.
– **Tyre district – al‑Ramadiyeh**: One person was killed and several others wounded.
– **West Bekaa – Ain el‑Tineh**: One person was wounded.
– Additional strikes targeted the southern town of al‑Kfour, the Ali al‑Taher ridge and the al‑Jabbour area.
**Strategic Developments**
Israel announced that it had taken control of the strategic Ali al‑Taher ridge in the Nabatieh region. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would work to prevent the enemy from re‑establishing itself in the area.
**Context**
Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire since March, when the Tehran‑backed group fired rockets at northern Israel in support of Iran amid a U.S.–Israeli war on the Islamic Republic. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says has killed more than 4,300 people. The conflict has calmed since a U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding and a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon agreed in June, but Lebanon continues to report Israeli strikes.
**Humanitarian Impact**
Imran Riza, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, warned on X on Friday that families returning to Nabatieh after the truce face widespread destruction, lack of basic services, ongoing insecurity and uncertainty.
Article source: naharnet.com | Image credit: Al Jazeera
