Israel hits 30 locations across south Lebanon and the Beqaa valley

Israel’s assault on Lebanon saw the settler-colonial state hit 30 locations across the country’s south and in the Beqaa valley. Israel said on 16 March ‘limited’ ground operations were underway.

In theory, Hezbollah breached a US-brokered ‘ceasefire’ with Israel which had held since their last war in 2024. In practice, the US had given Israel carte blanche to strike Lebanon ever since. Israel has done so constantly since the deal was struck.

You can read about the secretive Israel-US ‘side letter’ pact here. And our extensive coverage of Israel’s ceasefire breaches here.

Lebanon hammered

Journalist Courtney Bonneau reported on 15 March:

🔴Summary of Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory on 15/3/2026:

🟠Airstrikes:
🔅South:
Zebdine
Hanin
Yatir
Toul
Haniyah
Mifdoun
Qalila
Taybeh
Wadi al-Hujair
Majdal Selm
Touline
Nabatieh al-Fouqa
Khiam
Sinai
Ali al-Taher
Naqoura
Jabour
Aitat
Sharqiyah
Adchit Nabatieh
Kfar… https://t.co/3z9cxWuq55

— courtneybonneauimages (@cbonneauimages) March 16, 2026

Drop Site News said Israel used a mix of airstrikes, drones, and artillery. On 16 March, Bonneau and her cameraman showed fighting between the Israeli and resistance forces underway – alleging Israel was using chemical weapons:

Americans, your tax dollars are paying for illegal chemical warfare.

Cameraman: @aliezzedine7 pic.twitter.com/E25Pb6VT7C

— courtneybonneauimages (@cbonneauimages) March 16, 2026

Smoke was visible over the town of Khaim, roughly 6km north the the Israeli border.

Intense fighting now in Khiam, Lebanon pic.twitter.com/dHqlBQP7vy

— courtneybonneauimages (@cbonneauimages) March 16, 2026

Analysts told Al Jazeera on 16 March that Israel was using military occupation as a tool to enforce potential ceasefire terms:

By holding Lebanese territory, Israel is forcing Lebanon to negotiate over its sovereignty, with a question mark over whether Israeli troops will eventually withdraw or if currently occupied areas will be permanently transformed into an unpopulated buffer zone.

The Guardian’s Will Cristou reported Israel had killed three first responders on 16 March, bringing the total to 35 in the last two weeks:

An Israeli strike killed 3 first responders in Kafr Seer, south Lebanon this morning.

At least 35 medical workers have been killed by Israel in Lebanon in under two weeks. pic.twitter.com/YVO6bRiW37

— Will Christou (@will_christou) March 16, 2026

Death and defiance in the south

Sky News reported that mourners in the south have defied Israeli evacuation orders to bury their dead. And France 24 reported that Israel was still hitting densely populated areas of the capital Beirut with airstrikes:

On 12 March Israel bombed the tents of displaced people who’d fled rom the south to Beirut. One observer described the scenes as:

An outrageous war crime reminiscent of the massacres carried out in Gaza.

Israel also bombed a university, killing two academics:

BREAKING:

Israel just bombed the Lebanese National Public University in Beirut.

They murdered the Director of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Hussein Bazzi, and Dr. Murtada Srour.

They are not just killing people — they are erasing knowledge and attacking the future of Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/OoSSow5zJ3

— sarah (@sahouraxo) March 12, 2026

Reuters reported on 15 March:

Israel and Lebanon are expected to ​hold talks in the coming days aimed at securing a durable ceasefire that ‌would see Hezbollah disarmed, two Israeli officials said on Sunday, though the timing and terms have yet to be agreed.

Beirut is forming a delegation for talks but no date has been set. Lebanon needed clarity on whether ​Israel would abide by President Joseph Aoun’s first point — a demand for a ​full ceasefire to allow negotiations to take place.

Featured image via the Canary