Newsletters
The Israeli army carried out a demolition operation and artillery shelling in southern Lebanon on Saturday, despite a U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel reached in June, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The army "carried out a demolition operation in Bani Hayyan," NNA said, without providing details. It also conducted search operations in Khiam in Marjayoun district, while its artillery shelled the outskirts of Wadi al-Hujair in the Jabal Amel region.
Overnight, the outskirts of Baraachit in Bint Jbeil district and Wadi Zibqin came under intermittent artillery fire, according to the agency.
On Friday evening, Israeli artillery targeted the al-Arayesh area between Haris and Hadatha, and forces fired heavy machine guns toward the outskirts of Mansouri and Bayut al-Sayyad, south of Tyre.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Thursday that Israeli attacks since March 2 had killed 4,390 people and wounded 12,429 as of Nov. 5.
The June 26 framework agreement provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and its assumption of security responsibilities.
Israel continues to occupy areas of southern Lebanon, including positions held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, when its forces advanced about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory.
"The Israeli occupation must withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, because its continued presence is the fundamental problem and the greatest threat facing our country," Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal said Friday at a meeting at the Defense Ministry in Yarzeh.
He urged troops to maintain operational readiness and prepare for all possibilities without relying on regional or international developments, and said the army was working to extend state authority across Lebanon.
Haykal stressed the importance of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), describing it as a historical record of the Lebanon-Israel conflict that documents Israeli violations.
UNIFIL has been deployed since 1978, with its mandate expanded under Security Council Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war. Its mandate expires Dec. 31.
The Israeli army is preparing for a possible resumption of fighting in Lebanon if hostilities with Iran reignite, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Friday. Forces are continuing operations along the border, preparing positions and updating operational plans ahead of winter, it said.
Israel’s security establishment is awaiting a U.S. decision on whether to resume operations against Iran, the newspaper said, adding the military had not detected unusual U.S. preparations apart from reinforcements in southern Israel and naval movements in the Arabian Sea.
The report said Netanyahu seeks to overthrow the Iranian government, while some U.S. officials favor a swift, intensive operation to force Tehran to negotiate from a weaker position. It said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir clashed with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz before last month’s election over their push for action against Iran, and that some officials believe Netanyahu seeks another war to stay in power after his bloc won 53 of 120 seats.
Washington demands nuclear concessions before talks resume, while Tehran seeks the removal of sanctions, the release of frozen assets and permission to export oil.
Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continue as Beirut demands withdrawal.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
4 min read
