Smoke rises over southern Lebanon as Israeli strikes intensify

CAIRO - 28 March 2026: Plumes of smoke were seen rising over southern Lebanon on Saturday, March 28, as explosions echoed across the area amid a sharp escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The latest strikes came after the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate large parts of southern Lebanon, as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs, which are seen as strongholds of Hezbollah. Evacuation warnings also extended to areas in eastern Lebanon linked to the group.

The renewed violence marks another dangerous turn in the confrontation along the Lebanese-Israeli front, with fears growing that the conflict could widen further and pull more of the region into instability.

Since Hezbollah opened fire on Israel on March 2 and Israel responded with air strikes and bombardment, the human toll in Lebanon has risen sharply. More than 1,000 people have been killed, according to the figures cited, while more than one million others have been displaced, a number that amounts to over a fifth of the country’s population.

Most of those forced from their homes are Shi’ite Muslims from areas that have come under repeated attack. The scale of the displacement has added to pressure on Lebanon, which was already struggling with deep political and economic crises before the latest wave of fighting.

The exchange of fire has raised fresh concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict, as attacks continue and civilians bear the brunt of the escalation.