BEIRUT – Israel intensified its airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Thursday (October 16), targeting multiple areas including Bnaafoul, Nabatieh, Chmistar (Bekaa Valley), Ras Naqoura, and Blida. The fresh bombardments come amid a fragile ceasefire intended to stabilise the Israel–Hezbollah hostilities.
Following reports from Lebanese media and military sources, the town of Bnaafoul in the Sidon (Saïda) district was struck by Israel using both warplanes and drones, triggering large explosions and inflicting damage on several structures. Simultaneous airstrikes were also reported near Nabatieh and Chmistar in the Bekaa region.
In Ras Naqoura, Israel dropped a sound bomb near the coastal border, often used for warning or coercion. Meanwhile, a drone reportedly struck Blida while locals were harvesting olives. Artillery fire was also recorded near the village of Yaroun.
Casualty figures remain preliminary. Lebanon’s Emergency Health Operations Centre announced that one person was severely wounded in Bnaafoul, and five were injured in Ansar, a region within the Nabatieh district.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated their strikes aimed at underground Hezbollah weapon storage facilities, alleging that the group is re-establishing military capabilities in violation of ceasefire terms.
An IDF official claimed that reconstruction efforts by Hezbollah under civilian cover were also targeted, including infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley.
However, Lebanon’s government and local observers note that the IDF has presented no publicly verifiable evidence of such facilities at the struck sites.
Analyst saying, it’s a clear violation of the ceasefire term by Israel. As of the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel was expected to notify Lebanese authorities of any discovered military sites so they could be dismantled, a provision that Lebanon says has not been honoured.
Since the ceasefire was implemented, Israel has continued to carry out nearly daily strikes across southern Lebanon, with a recent bombardment destroying several construction vehicles in Msayleh.
Over the past weekend, a drone attack wounded a UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeeper near Kfar Kela.
This marked the second time this month that an attack struck in proximity to UN personnel. The IDF has pledged to take measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
One question still lingers, can Israel, and it’s entity IDF be trusted with ceasefire?
Sources: MTV Lebanon, Times of Israel, AP News, AntiWar
