Hezbollah Launches 24 Operations Against Israeli Forces in Southern Lebanon
The Islamic Resistance said its fighters targeted Israeli troop gatherings, vehicles, artillery positions, Merkava tanks, and drones in response to ceasefire violations and attacks on Lebanese village
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon continued its operations against Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday, announcing 24 separate attacks on Israeli troop gatherings, military vehicles, artillery positions, Merkava tanks, and drones across southern Lebanon.
In a series of statements carried by Al-Manar, the Resistance said the operations were carried out in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire and attacks on villages in southern Lebanon that caused martyrs and injuries among civilians.
The attacks took place throughout Wednesday, May 20, 2026, corresponding to 03 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH.
Rocket Strikes on Israeli Troop Gatherings
The Resistance said its fighters opened the day’s operations shortly after midnight, targeting gatherings of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in Rashaf at 00:20 and Dibl at 00:40 with rocket barrages.
At 11:00, Resistance fighters struck another Israeli vehicle and troop gathering near the riverbed on the outskirts of Deir Siryan with artillery shells.
Additional rocket barrages later targeted Israeli forces in Shama at 12:30, Khillet Raj in Deir Siryan at 16:50, the outskirts of Hadatha at 17:50, and Israeli troop and vehicle gatherings in Bayyada and Naqoura at 19:15 and 20:00 using attack drones.
Merkava Tanks and D9 Bulldozers Hit
A major part of the day’s operations focused on Israeli armored units.
At 12:20, Resistance fighters targeted a Merkava tank at Baydar al-Faqani in Taybeh with an attack drone, reporting a confirmed hit.
The most intense confrontations took place around Hadatha, where the Resistance said it struck several Israeli armored vehicles and advancing forces.
At 15:20, fighters targeted a D9 bulldozer with an attack drone and a Merkava tank with rocket weapons near the Hadatha pond, reporting confirmed hits.
At the same time, a second Merkava tank was struck in the al-Baydar neighborhood of Hadatha with a guided missile. The Resistance said the tank was seen burning, while its protection force was targeted with a rocket barrage.
At 15:25, a second bulldozer sent to recover damaged vehicles in Hadatha was hit by an attack drone.
At 15:40, a third Merkava tank was struck near the stadium area in Hadatha with an attack drone, followed by rocket barrages against supporting Israeli troop gatherings.
At 17:15, the Resistance targeted a fourth Merkava tank near the pond in Hadatha with an attack drone, again reporting a confirmed hit.
Israeli Advance Toward Hadatha Repelled
The Resistance said its fighters confronted a combined Israeli force advancing toward Hadatha from the direction of the al-Baydar neighborhood at 14:00.
When the force reached the area near the pond, Resistance fighters targeted it with artillery shells and continuous rocket barrages for half an hour.
At 16:30, fighters clashed with an Israeli infantry force supported by two Merkava tanks advancing toward the Hussainiya of Hadatha, using light and direct-fire weapons.
The Resistance said the clashes caused confirmed casualties and forced the Israeli force to withdraw its wounded under heavy smoke cover.
Between 15:45 and 16:50, three Israeli troop gatherings on the outskirts of Hadatha were also targeted with repeated rocket barrages.
At 17:00, a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers near al-Baydar on the outskirts of Hadatha was struck by a swarm of attack drones, followed by another drone strike at 17:25 against Israeli forces near the pond.
Artillery Positions and Military Sites Targeted
The Islamic Resistance also announced drone strikes on Israeli artillery positions.
At 10:00, fighters targeted Israeli artillery emplacements in Yaroun with a swarm of attack drones. At 10:30, another drone swarm struck Israeli artillery positions in Bint Jbeil.
In a separate statement, the Resistance said its fighters targeted the Ajloun Hill site and the Israeli barracks of Avivim, Ramim (Honin), Ramot Naftali, and Ma’ale Golani with swarms of attack drones.
Israeli Hermes 450 Drone Confronted
At 19:10, the Resistance said its air defense units confronted an Israeli Hermes 450 “Zik” drone over the central sector with a surface-to-air missile.
The operation marked one of the day’s key air defense actions, highlighting the Resistance’s continued efforts to challenge Israeli aerial surveillance and drone activity over southern Lebanon.
Response to Israeli Violations
All 24 statements framed the operations as a response to Israeli ceasefire violations and repeated attacks on southern Lebanese villages.
The Resistance said its fighters acted in defense of Lebanon and its people after Israeli assaults caused martyrs and civilian casualties.
The pace and scope of the operations reflected a widening field of confrontation, with the Resistance targeting Israeli forces across multiple towns and frontlines, including Rashaf, Dibl, Deir Siryan, Taybeh, Yaroun, Bint Jbeil, Shama, Hadatha, Bayyada, and Naqoura. (PW)