Israel Continues Attacks in Southern Lebanon as Iran Pledges Support

Israel continued attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday, carrying out airstrikes, artillery shelling and demolitions, while Tehran pledged continued support for the country amid stalled negotiations over an IDF withdrawal.

Most of the day’s attacks were concentrated in Nabatieh Province, RT’s Lebanon correspondent Steve Sweeney said. Two explosions were reported near Aita al-Jabal, while Israeli drones carried out two strikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa on Saturday morning. Israeli forces separately set fire to homes in Beit Yahoun.

The latest strikes came two days after an Israeli attack on Arab Salim killed 28-year-old Saja Sharara just 48 hours after her wedding, according to Sweeney, who recently visited the southern Lebanese village. Six others were wounded, including a child, a woman, and two elderly people.

Israel, however, said Thursday’s strikes followed the launch of two Hezbollah drones toward Israeli troops.

The escalation comes as Tehran reaffirms its support for Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, vice president of Lebanon’s Higher Shiite Islamic Council, in Tehran on Friday. According to Lebanese L’Orient Today, Khatib described a deteriorating situation in the south, saying many displaced residents had exhausted their savings and had been left without homes or work. He appealed in particular for financial assistance for affected communities.

Araghchi said Tehran was working to revive the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, the first clause of which called for an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He argued that implementing the agreement remained the way to resolve the crisis, while acknowledging that “the circumstances are difficult,” as cited by L’Orient Today.

The memorandum followed a renewed escalation between Israel and Hezbollah after the latter resumed attacks two days after the US-Iran war began on February 28. Hezbollah said its operation was retaliation for the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Hezbollah says it has observed the ceasefire reached under the subsequent US-Iran agreement. Israel, however, has continued strikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon and currently occupies more than 600 square kilometers of Lebanese territory.

Beirut and Israel have meanwhile been holding direct negotiations aimed at securing an Israeli withdrawal and ending the hostilities. Another round is reportedly expected in Rome in September, but progress has been limited.