Five Lebanese soldiers were wounded in a blast in southern Lebanon amid ongoing military tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, according to the Lebanese army. The incident occurred in a town near the border where Israeli forces have reportedly intensified their presence and operations.
The Lebanese military said a specialized unit has identified the explosion as the result of a “suspicious object” and that investigations are still underway. This latest incident comes amid a broader escalation in hostilities marked by frequent Israeli military activities across multiple southern Lebanese districts.
Lebanese officials accuse Israeli forces of using the current truce as a pretext to expand their operational footprint in the area. Reports describe widespread destruction, including heavy machine-gun fire, earth-moving operations, and artillery shelling targeting villages such as Haddatha, Kounine, al-Taybeh, Majdal Zoun, and Mansouri. Israeli defense activities also include tank fire from Merkava tanks, drone overflights, and continuous air patrols over Beirut and its southern suburbs.
One of the most significant recent events was the detonation of an estimated 700 tons of explosives beneath the historic Shaqif Fortress in Arnoun, a site recognized by UNESCO for its cultural importance. The blast caused widespread shock, with the effects felt as far as the cities of Saida and the Chouf region. Lebanese authorities and residents view this destruction as part of a deliberate strategy to erase cultural heritage, disrupt infrastructure, and hinder the return of displaced communities.
The increased military pressure has drawn international concern, with the United Nations warning that the targeting of civilian and cultural sites deepens the humanitarian crisis in the region. The ongoing tensions coincide with upcoming international negotiations planned in Rome, aimed at addressing border issues and security arrangements. However, Israel appears to be continuing operations on the ground to alter facts through military means rather than diplomatic engagement.
Lebanese officials and military commanders have condemned the persistent violations of national sovereignty and reiterate their rejection of any permanent foreign military presence in Lebanon. Local resistance groups have actively engaged Israeli forces to resist territorial encroachment, reportedly inflicting casualties on elite Israeli units such as the Egoz commandos.
The situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts struggling to contain the escalation as both sides maintain firm stances over control and security in the border region.