South Lebanon witnessed a wide field escalation on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as Israeli forces carried out massive explosions and heavy, continuous artillery shelling extending from Houla, Meiss El Jabal, Qantara and Aitaroun to Mansouri, Tulusa, Bani Hayyan, Wadi al-Hujair and the outskirts of Braashit, including a massive explosion targeting Jabal Amel middle school in the town of Houla, with the sound of some explosions heard across a wide area of the south. Israeli forces also burned houses in the town of Houla in Marjeyoun district, while a "Lebanon Debate" correspondent reported an explosion in Qantara and another in Aitaroun, and Israeli airstrikes renewed on areas in south Lebanon.
Diplomatically, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji announced that he discussed at the White House with US Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Needham developments in Lebanon and the region, foremost the framework agreement and ways to implement it, including Israel's withdrawal from the south and completing the restriction of weapons to the Lebanese state, within a Lebanese diplomatic movement in Washington focused on sovereign and security files, after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had raised priorities including a clear timeline for Israeli withdrawal, the exclusivity of weapons to the state, and an implementation mechanism. In a related context, Ahmed Mouaffaq Zaidan, media advisor to al-Sharaa, denied any contacts with Hezbollah, affirming that the era of militias has ended, and that Syria supports restricting the decision in Lebanon to the Lebanese state. MP Faisal El-Sayegh also organized a broad Beirut meeting under the patronage of Progressive Socialist Party head MP Taimur Jumblatt, with the participation of Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, Public Works Minister Fayez Rasamny, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani, and several MPs and former ministers, where appreciation was affirmed for Beirut's unifying role and support for the "negotiation option" if it leads to liberating the land, returning the people, releasing prisoners, and depositors recovering their money.
On the human rights front, 544 prisoners in several Lebanese prisons continue their open hunger and medicine strike for the 21st day in protest against the freezing of the general amnesty law, amid a rise in critical cases to 55 and fears of tuberculosis spreading. A spokesman for the prisoners said that a prisoner was transferred to the hospital, while the strikers raised a banner demanding the passage of the general amnesty. The strike locations include Roumieh, Rashaya, and the Bekaa.
Domestically and environmentally, Environment Minister Tamara El-Zein announced that the reopening of the Sarar landfill in Akkar was temporary to avoid waste accumulation, and that the measure would remain confined to the transitional phase until the operation of the sanitary landfill and treatment plant expected by the end of February 2027. She explained that work on establishing the landfill began in January 2026 in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with maintenance of the sorting plant through the GATE project funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction. Meanwhile, Sabra area witnessed flooded roads after rainfall, and heavy rain accompanied by hail and violent thunderstorms hit several areas in Akkar, with warnings of slipping and low visibility, and expectations of unstable weather and rain in the coming days. "Amel International Foundation," in cooperation with Tyre municipality and under the patronage of UNIFIL Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara, opened a safe center for girls, women and children in Tyre, where Abagnara affirmed that "peace is the goal for which we must continue to work." Also, the people of Rashmeya and its dignitaries and neighboring towns rejected Education Minister Rima Karami's decision to merge Maroun Abboud Secondary School – Rashmeya Branch with Aley Secondary School, and held a protest stand with the participation of MPs Raji Saad, Nazih Matta, Cesar Abi Khalil, Rashmeya Mayor Dalia Farah, and representatives of the municipalities of Chartoun, Al-Bireh, Al-Rumayleh and Aaramoun, signing an urgent petition demanding the reversal of the decision. In Batroun, Free Patriotic Movement head MP Gebran Bassil inaugurated "Batrouniyat Academy" in cooperation with "Ed Tech Plus" institute, speaking about the artificial intelligence revolution.