Exclusive: Top Shiite Cleric urges state to defend South Lebanon

Deputy Head of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, visited several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday to inspect damage caused by recent Israeli aggression, stressing the critical need for state presence and protection in the region.

In remarks to Al Mayadeen, Sheikh al-Khatib affirmed that the steadfastness of the people of the South remains unshaken, despite the destruction inflicted on their homes.

“We call on the state we aspire to, just as the people of the South do, to be fully present in southern Lebanon, to genuinely embrace the region under state protection,” he said, highlighting the need for robust governmental engagement to protect civilians and uphold Lebanese sovereignty.

Al-Khatib emphasized that while the Israeli occupation had demolished homes and infrastructure, it would never succeed in eroding the resilience of the people. “The occupation has demolished houses, but it will not shatter the determination of the people of southern Lebanon, who will remain on their land, preserve it, and defend it,” he asserted.

He also urged stronger Arab solidarity, calling on Arab states to take a firm and active stance in support of Lebanon. “We look forward to serious positions from our Arab brothers, from whom we have never been separated, and we call on them to stand with our people in southern Lebanon,” he stated.

Sheikh al-Khatib’s tour comes amid escalating Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, which have resulted in civilian casualties and significant property damage, drawing widespread condemnation and raising urgent concerns about the protection of the Lebanese people.

Israeli attacks target Lebanon’s Bekaa, South, and Army-UNIFIL force
Israeli drone strikes targeted the Riyaq-Baalbek highway in the northern Bekaa region, while a second drone strike targeted the town of Doures, near Dar al-Amal Hospital, also in the Baalbek district, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Friday.

In South Lebanon, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that a joint Lebanese Army–UNIFIL force came under fire while conducting a mission between Wadi al-Asafir and Tal al-Hamams.

The attack originated from a tank positioned at a newly and illegally established Israeli outpost, targeting the patrol despite the presence of both Lebanese and UN peacekeeping personnel.

In a separate development, occupation forces opened fire from the same newly constructed outpost in Jabal al-Blat, targeting the outskirts of the town of Aitaroun.

In Markaba, an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near civilians working in the area.

Ongoing aggression
On January 21, Israeli occupation forces launched a series of violent airstrikes across southern Lebanon, targeting several towns, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondents.

The attacks began in the town of Kfour in the Nabatieh district, where an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building. Subsequent raids struck multiple buildings in Qennarit, also in southern Lebanon. In Jarjou’, another airstrike destroyed a targeted building, while drones maintained heavy patrols over the area.
Our correspondent revealed that several reporters were injured following the airstrikes on Qennarit, as “there were 10 journalist colleagues near the site of the strike.”

On its part, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli enemy raids on the town of Qennarit resulted in injuries to 19 people, including journalists.

Later, our correspondent reported Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on al-Kharayeb in the Saida district and Ansar in the Nabatieh district.