Israeli Strikes Kill Six in Southern Lebanon as Ground Forces Encircle Strategic Town Ahead of U.S. Peace Talks
BEIRUT — A series of Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages struck multiple locations across southern Lebanon on Monday, killing at least six people and wounding several others, according to Lebanese state media. The attacks come as the Israeli military announced it has encircled the strategic town of Bint Jbeil, a move signaling a potential intensification of ground operations even as diplomatic efforts to broker a pause in hostilities accelerate.
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that one person was killed and nine injured in an aerial attack on the town of Bazouriyeh. Separate strikes claimed lives in Nabatiyeh El Faouqa, Sir el Gharbiyeh, and Choukine. In a particularly alarming incident, Israeli warplanes struck a facility associated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the coastal city of Tyre, damaging several vehicles and leaving one person dead from wounds sustained. Another strike hit an orchard in Tyre, resulting in an unspecified number of fatalities.
Artillery fire was also reported in at least seven other southern towns, from Haniyeh to Sama’ah, painting a picture of a broad offensive along the border region.
The military developments on the ground appear to be outpacing diplomacy. Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman, stated on social media that forces from the 98th Division had "completed the encirclement" of Bint Jbeil and begun an assault. The town, located just 5 kilometers from the Israeli border, holds profound symbolic weight for Hezbollah, serving as the site where its former leader declared "victory" following Israel's 2000 withdrawal and a focal point of fierce resistance during the 2006 war.
"Controlling Bint Jbeil is not just a tactical objective; it's a psychological blow aimed at undermining Hezbollah's narrative of resilience," said Dr. Elias Farhat, a Beirut-based security analyst. "The timing, right before talks in Washington, is a clear message of strength and a bid to negotiate from a position of perceived advantage."
Hezbollah has acknowledged engaging in close-quarters combat in the town for days. The group's involvement in the wider conflict began after the assassination of a senior Iranian official in late February, to which Israel responded with a large-scale invasion.
The civilian toll continues to mount. Lebanese health authorities report that since Israel expanded its offensive in early March, at least 2,055 people have been killed and over 6,550 wounded.
Against this backdrop of violence, Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to hold preliminary talks in Washington on Tuesday. Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh emphasized the immediate goal is a cessation of hostilities, telling Al Jazeera the meeting aims "to produce a pause in military activity, if not a ceasefire." He conceded, however, that Lebanon's negotiating leverage is limited.
Voices from the Region
Maya Haddad, School Teacher in Tyre: "They hit near the Red Cross. Where is safe? This isn't a military strategy; it's terror. We're just pawns while they talk in comfortable rooms thousands of miles away. Every 'preliminary meeting' is stained with our blood."
David Cohen, Retired Diplomat in Haifa: "The encirclement of Bint Jbeil is a necessary, if tragic, step to degrade Hezbollah's military infrastructure so close to our border. Lasting security requires neutralizing this threat. The talks in Washington must not reward aggression with premature concessions."
Professor Leila Suleiman, Political Science, American University of Beirut: "This escalation risks sabotaging the diplomatic track before it even begins. It creates facts on the ground that complicate any potential ceasefire map. The international community must exert maximum pressure for an immediate humanitarian pause to prevent further loss of life."
Yossi Ben-Zvi, Shop Owner in Northern Israel: "Enough talk. For months we've lived in shelters because of rockets from those villages. The army must finish the job in Bint Jbeil and create a true buffer zone. Peace talks? First, let them stop firing."