Israel Conducts Southern Lebanon Strikes Despite US-Mediated Agreement

The Israeli army conducted a series of airstrikes, artillery attacks, and ground operations across southern Lebanon on October 1, 2026. These operations included machine-gun sweeps in Haddatha and the detonation of homes in Al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, which caused tremors felt in the city of Tyre. Other targeted areas included Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and the Zahrani area.

These attacks persist despite a US-mediated framework agreement signed on June 26 in Washington, which outlined a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army. Lebanese authorities report that since March 2, the Israeli offensive has killed at least 4,386 people, injured 12,413, and displaced over 1 million residents.

Simultaneously, Lebanese Foreign Minister Rajkumar Santoshi advocated for national stability during a Council on Foreign Relations debate in Washington. Santoshi stated that achieving stability requires ending the Israeli occupation and ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under the control of the Lebanese state. He expressed hope that Lebanon would regain its status as a regional hub for culture, tourism, and economics.