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Israel Expands Bombing Campaign and Mass Displacement in Lebanon

18 0
13.03.2026

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We speak with journalist Lylla Younes in Lebanon, where she says Israel’s “massacres are multiplying” amid the broader U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Israeli strikes have killed nearly 700 people in Lebanon over the past two weeks, while attacks have expanded to include areas of central Beirut, which Israel claims are aimed at the powerful Hezbollah militia. This comes as Israel has vowed to expand its incursion into southern Lebanon.

“The vast majority of southern Lebanon is now under displacement orders,” says Younes. “That is approximately 15% of the country.”

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: The United Nations is estimating more than 4 million people have been displaced in the Middle East in the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched their unprovoked war on Iran. About 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced, and over 800,000 in Lebanon.

We begin today’s show in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have killed nearly 700 people over the past two weeks. Israel has expanded its bombing campaign to target areas of central Beirut. Israeli officials have also expanded a forced evacuation order for southern Lebanon, almost doubling the size of the zone.

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Earlier today, Israel targeted a key bridge over the Litani River, a major crossing point between southern and northern Lebanon. Israel defended the attack on civilian infrastructure, claiming the bridge was also used by members of Hezbollah. This comes as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel plans to expand its occupation of areas in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.

Earlier today, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Beirut. He wrote online, quote, “I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it,” unquote. Guterres called on Israel and Hezbollah to negotiate a ceasefire and stop the war.

We go now to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, where we’re joined by Lylla Younes, who has been reporting on the war for Drop Site News.

Lylla, thanks so much for being with us again. If you can describe what’s happening on the war as Israel expands the zone that it is demanding people evacuate, from southern Lebanon beyond?

LYLLA YOUNES: Yes, Amy. So, the people of Lebanon got another displacement order from the Israelis to now evacuate the region between the Litani River and the Zahrani River. So this is practically the vast majority of southern Lebanon is now under........

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