BEIRUT: An Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mays Al-Jabal on Wednesday, killing its rider, a member of Hezbollah, and injuring another.
Clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah intensified after the attack.
Over the course of Tuesday night, the border saw a series of strikes, which residents described as some of the most violent since the southern region was mobilized about a year ago.
The promotion coincided with the arrival in Beirut of Josep Borrell Fontelles, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The border situation is considered high on the agenda during his meeting with the Lebanese authorities.
At dawn, Israeli warplanes launched more than 15 airstrikes targeting the forested area and fields between the border towns of Zibqin and Qlaileh, creating a belt of fire.
Video footage showed the screams of children in the house and the prayers of the elderly as the explosion ripped through the ground nearby.
Israeli warplanes also attacked the borders of the towns of Yater and Rashaya Al-Fakhar, the fields and valleys near the towns of Qlaileh, Zibqin, Al-Ḥaniyya, Majdal Zoun and Tayr Harfa, and the border the cities of Deir Seryan and Zawtar. Al-Charkieh. The warplanes also raided Naqoura.
Two Israeli drones exploded in a park in the city of Maroun Al-Ras, damaging infrastructure.
An Israeli army spokesman said that “four different areas in southern Lebanon were targeted by around 30 Hezbollah rocket launchers and military systems that threatened the citizens of Israel.” Their forces also targeted the Dhayra area in southern Lebanon with artillery.
The rocket attacks have raised questions about why Israel has been targeting the valleys every day for about two weeks.
Ali Amin, a political analyst, told Arab News that “although the Israeli army is facing challenges in the war against Hezbollah, it seems that it is preparing for a long war. It (the Israeli army) previously announced the mobilization of the Mountain Brigade and intends to cut the eastern and western (mountain) areas of southern Lebanon.
Al-Amin, a resident of the border area, said: “The areas of the forest that have been bombed for two weeks are known to be inaccessible to civilians and have Hezbollah military bases, so it is almost impossible can move inside.
“Israel, after the breakdown of technological communication between the members of the party (Hezbollah) and its leadership, is actively working to disperse the southern region and bring it under control not broken.”
He said the increase in shelling in the forests and valleys, along with the failure to protect civilians from targeting Hezbollah, indicated a serious threat.
He emphasized, he added, the need not to assume that Israel will not target civilians in the bombings in the south.
“This escalation may represent a new phase in the war, which is approaching its first anniversary.”
On August 25, Israel targeted forested areas and valleys in the areas of Iqlim Al-Tuffah, Kunin, Zawtar, Rachaf, Deir Siriane, Chamaa, Rihan, Kfar Melki, Beit Yahoun, Ain Qana, Zebqin, Hadatha, and other villages, coincided with Hezbollah's response to the killing of the army chief, Fuad Shukr.
At the time, he said he “prevented Hezbollah's retaliation by dropping 6,000 bombs 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 on airstrips in Al-Jabeen, Zawtar El-Charkieh, and Ramya.
On September 6 and 7, Israeli warplanes carried out more than 20 airstrikes in the forested areas of Srifa, Froun, Al-Ghandouriya, Yater, Qabrikha, and Ainata.
Israel's army radio confirmed on Wednesday that “the army targeted Hezbollah positions and the air force destroyed about 25 rocket launch sites.”
The dead Hezbollah member was Hani Ezzeddine, born in 2001, from the town of Deir Qanoun En Nahr in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah targeted the “gathering of Israeli soldiers around the location of Al-Raheb with rocket weapons,” as well as “the location of Rweizat Al-Qarn and the Zabdine camp in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa farm.” He confirmed that there were casualties.
Hezbollah said it succeeded in attacking “a bunker where enemy soldiers were stationed in Al-Matala location using appropriate weapons.”
Israeli military operations on Tuesday advanced deep into the south and west of Bekaa, reaching more than 30 km, to target towns from the border.
