BEIRUT: In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israeli air and artillery assaults have intensified across southern Lebanon, with multiple towns and villages experiencing heavy bombardment. Early on Friday, Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on the town of Ansar, marking the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted southern regions, including Tyre and Bint Jbeil. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the conflict saw a notable increase in aggression with four successive airstrikes targeting Sijed in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region at dawn. Subsequent attacks included an airstrike on Dawoud Street in Doueir around 8 a.m., while Israeli reconnaissance and unmanned aerial vehicles were reported over the villages of Mansouri and Majdal Zoun. In the Tyre district, Israeli forces sustained their assault throughout the night, severely damaging neighborhoods such as Hay al-Housh and the Rez residential area. The towns of Ramiyeh, Baraachit, and Majdal Silm were also hit, with the latter suffering the destruction of its historic mosque. The towns of Hadatha and Yater were similarly subjected to aerial attacks. Before dawn, Israeli artillery targeted several towns, including Aita al-Shaab, Ramiyeh, al-Dhaira, Bustan, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun. The shelling, lasting over 30 minutes, was accompanied by heavy machine gunfire toward Marwahin and Tarbikha. Overnight, low-flying drones were observed over villages bordering the Litani River, and illumination flares were fired over border villages near the occupied Palestinian territories. In Marjayoun, artillery shelling intermittently impacted the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras and Yaron. At approximately 4 a.m., a drone fired a guided missile at Kafr Rumman, which had already been hit by two airstrikes before midnight. Additional airstrikes were reported on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab near Debel and the town of Hanin.