Lebanese media report that a tense calm has settled over southern Lebanon for the first time since the war began on March 2, after a ceasefire went into effect. According to Al-Modon, Israeli strikes have paused and no Israeli drones were spotted over Beirut or the south this morning. Some local authorities, however, urged residents to wait 72 hours before returning to their villages. The reports also note that over the past two days, Israeli strikes killed more than 100 people and wounded over 200.
Sunday morning brought the first widespread calm to southern Lebanon since the outbreak of war on March 2, according to Lebanese media monitored by multiple channels. Al-Modon newspaper reported that Israeli airstrikes have stopped and no Israeli drones were observed over Beirut or the south — a sharp break from the heavy aerial activity of previous days. The reported calm follows a ceasefire that took effect earlier, though Israeli forces have continued controlled demolitions and artillery fire in the preceding days, as The Zioneer reported on June 15. The Lebanese Al-Modon adds that several local municipalities in the south have advised residents to wait 72 hours before returning to their villages, citing safety concerns.
Over the past 48 hours before the pause, Israeli strikes in Lebanon resulted in more than 100 killed and over 200 wounded, according to the same reports. The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. This bulletin builds on earlier reporting from The Zioneer on June 20, which noted a quiet overnight and Sunday morning in the southern sector after two days of heavy clashes, and a June 15 report of a pause in airstrikes while artillery and demolitions continued. The current report suggests the pause has now extended to a broader cessation of offensive aerial operations, though the situation remains fluid and unverified by independent Israeli sources.
The Zioneer previously reported on June 20 that the IDF had been ordered to cease fire in southern Lebanon after a night of heavy clashes on the Ali Taher ridge in which one soldier was killed and 13 wounded. That ceasefire was ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, hours after Iran formally declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. Background bulletins from June 12 onward noted an apparent decline in IDF strike tempo, and by June 15 Lebanese sources reported a pause in airstrikes while controlled demolitions and artillery continued. The thread shows corroboration evolving from a single source on Saturday evening (June 20) to multiple newsrooms by now.
What remains open: the scope of the reported cessation — Al-Modon's claim of no drone activity is the first such report of its kind and has not been confirmed by independent or Israeli sources. The 72-hour warning from local municipalities suggests residual danger from unexploded ordnance or booby traps, not necessarily an expectation that hostilities will resume.
4 developments
- StrongLebanese sources report pause in IDF airstrikes on southern Lebanon
- DevelopingNo new IDF strikes reported in Lebanon for past 90 minutes, single source says
- StrongApparent decline in IDF strike tempo across southern Lebanon, sources note
- DevelopingAt least 29 killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and Beqaa a day after ceasefire
Source and signal
- Internal intake