Lebanon20 September, 20262 min read
Israeli Bombardment Hits Southern Lebanon as Qassem Says Resistance Is Only Way
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Israel bombs southern Lebanon as northern front readiness increases. Qassem says resistance is the only path to liberate Lebanon.
Bombardment in South Lebanon
The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Sunday that several areas in southern Lebanon came under Israeli bombardment, targeting the outskirts of Zovitr al-Sharqiya and Mifdal and the town of al-Mansouri. The agency said phosphorous bombs caused fires in olive groves and citrus orchards around Majdal Zoun and Bayt al-Siyad, as the Israeli army strengthened its readiness on the northern front amid Israeli estimates of a possible new escalation with Hezbollah.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said the alert state in northern Israel was based on military assessments suggesting Hezbollah is reorganizing its ranks and arming itself again, and it quoted a military source saying: “If we are surprised, we will not be defeated.” Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a speech that “resistance is the only way to liberate the land,” and he added that “resistance in all its forms is required.”
Qassem backs resistance
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated during a speech this Saturday that “The resistance is the only way to liberate the land,” as Israeli bombardments continued to strike the south of the country. Demócrata said new airstrikes occurred in the vicinity of the town of Aita al-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district and in the Zawtar al Sharqiyá area, while impacts were recorded in the Wadi Saluki valley, Wadi al Hujeir, and the towns of Mansouri and Beit al Siyad.
Naharnet reported Qassem stressed that “resistance is the only path to liberating the land and all other ways are a waste of time,” while also admitting there was “absolutely no military balance with the enemy.” Naharnet also quoted Qassem saying: “Even if the situation in Lebanon drags on for days or months, we are victorious because we have stood firm and prevented the enemy from achieving its objectives.”
Diplomacy, aid, and risk
Ayn al-Libiya said a parallel political and security track is underway between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship, with a framework agreement signed in Washington on June 26 outlining a gradual path to restore the Lebanese state’s authority over Lebanese territory. The same source said the agreement provides that the Lebanese army will regain real power over Lebanese territory, alongside verification of the disarmament of armed groups and dismantling of their infrastructure, enabling the Israeli army to withdraw gradually from Lebanese territories.
Ayn al-Libiya also reported that the Lebanese army announced on Sunday it had received 70 containers of various types of ammunition at Beirut Port within the framework of American military aid programs designated for the military establishment. In the same report, Reuters was cited as noting UN peacekeeping forces are working on transitional arrangements before UNIFIL’s mandate ends at the end of 2026, amid concerns about the security situation in areas controlled by Israeli forces.