Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Kill 4,304, Injure 12,203 Since Last March

Israeli airstrikes and attacks in southern Lebanon pushed the Lebanese Ministry of Health’s reported toll since last March to 4,304 martyrs and 12,203 injured.

Jordan News said Israeli media reported an attack on the Ali al-Taher hill region in southern Lebanon, while the National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli airstrike targeted Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon.

Al Jazeera

The same Jordan News account cited Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir saying Israeli forces control key positions in the Beaufort (al-Shaqif) heights and that they are ready to launch a swift attack on Hezbollah if it violates the ceasefire.

In parallel, the Korea Herald reported Netanyahu telling Fox News show "The Sunday Briefing" that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon had asked to be annexed by Israel for protection from Hezbollah militants.

The Korea Herald also quoted the mayor of Rmeish, Hanna al-Amil, denying Netanyahu’s claim and saying that even contemplating it was "absolutely out of the question."

Jordan News reported that during a field visit to the forces of the 36th Division in the Beaufort area, Eyal Zamir said, "The Lebanese army must remove Hezbollah elements from the Beaufort heights".

Jordan News added that Zamir said, "We are working decisively to eliminate Hezbollah's threats," and that the military achievements made by Israeli forces have weakened Hezbollah.

Al Jazeera

The Korea Herald framed Netanyahu’s remarks as part of Israel’s stated rationale for maintaining its presence in southern Lebanon, quoting him saying Israel’s military would maintain it "as long as necessary in order to protect the residents of the north".

In a separate thread, Middle East Monitor said the Israeli army carried out an airstrike and artillery shelling in southern Lebanon on Sunday despite a ceasefire agreement, with NNA reporting strikes in the Al-Hariq neighborhood between Kfartebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

Middle East Monitor also stated that since March 2, 2026, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have killed at least 4,303 people and injured 12,202 others, while displacing more than one million.

Jordan News said Eyal Zamir claimed the Beaufort area contains infrastructure and tunnels established by Hezbollah with Iranian support and funding, alleging Israeli forces control key positions above ground as well as underground facilities.

RFE/RL reported that Israeli and Lebanese working groups will meet in Rome on July 15-16 for a new round of talks on border, security, and other issues, with Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter saying the meetings would be the next step in implementing a new trilateral framework between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States.

RFE/RL added that Leiter said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on July 21.

RFE/RL also quoted Leiter saying Israel would remain in parts of southern Lebanon until Hezbollah was dismantled and no longer posed a threat to Israeli communities, including his statement: "It is now clear that Israel will withdraw only when Hezbollah is dismantled."

Meanwhile, Jordan News reported that Lebanese Ministry of Health figures for the Israeli aggression since last March reached 4,304 martyrs and 12,203 injured, underscoring the scale of the conflict as talks are set to proceed.