LAYLA HASSAN | BREAKING | MAY 26, 2026
Israeli air attacks killed at least 11 people and wounded 15 others in the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara late Monday, health officials said Tuesday — the deadliest single strike since the ceasefire began fraying. The IDF struck more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites overnight, then announced forced evacuation orders for the city of Nabatieh — its largest displacement order since the January ceasefire took effect.
“There were at least 10 attacks in the span of half an hour on an area with residential buildings,” Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr reported from the scene. “People remain missing. Excavators are still digging through the rubble.”
Ground Troops Cross the Yellow Line
Israeli ground forces advanced north of the so-called “yellow line” — a proposed buffer zone extending 5–10 km into southern Lebanon — attempting to reach Zawtar al-Sharqiyah south of Nabatieh. Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto reported tanks crossing the Litani River. Channels 12 and 14 confirmed an expanded ground operation on Tuesday. Arnoun, Yohmor al-Shaqif, Mayfadoun, and the Beaufort Castle area came under heavy artillery bombardment. Hezbollah confirmed its fighters were actively engaging Israeli forces as troops pushed toward Zawtar al-Sharqiya.
Ceasefire Collapses
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he had “authorised more intensive strikes against Hezbollah,” effectively nullifying the US-brokered ceasefire framework. The strikes came 24 hours after IRGC forces shot down a US surveillance drone over the Gulf, adding a second front to a conflict that is rapidly unwinding. Inside the Israeli cabinet, deep divisions emerged over any US-Iran deal — with Itamar Ben-Gvir demanding immediate annexation of West Bank territory if sanctions are lifted, according to Israel Hayom. “This is how Netanyahu’s Iran doctrine collapsed,” wrote one analyst.
Lebanon Liberation Day, Under Occupation
Tuesday marked Lebanon Liberation Day — commemorating Israel’s 2000 withdrawal — but celebrations were subdued as Israeli troops held positions beyond the recognised ceasefire line. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called the advance “a flagrant violation of Resolution 1701” and urged UNIFIL to intervene. UNIFIL said it was “monitoring developments closely,” declining to act.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted on X: “Gulf powers will no longer shield American bases.” Iranian state media said it was a signal to Baghdad and Ankara that Arab mediation was insufficient and Iran’s military response would proceed regardless of any ceasefire framework. The IDF simultaneously cut the primary Beirut-south road, blocking a UN humanitarian corridor. The Red Cross said it was “deeply concerned.” An emergency UN Security Council session was called for Wednesday.
Additional reporting by the Al Jazeera desk and AP
