Beirut: Israeli warplanes and drones intensified attacks across southern Lebanon, targeting multiple towns in the Nabatieh, Tyre, and Bint Jbeil districts, according to official media reports on Friday. The attacks occur amid ongoing US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, which concluded their third round on Thursday at the State Department, with discussions set to continue Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli fighter jets struck the town of Froun in the Bint Jbeil district, and artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of Qlaileh and Borj Qlaouiyeh. An Israeli drone conducted a morning strike on an open area in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while further raids were launched on the town of Qsaybeh.

Israel's actions included nighttime strikes in the Marj al-Safa area in Choukine and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, leading to the destruction of a neighborhood and significant damage to infrastructure, including the Nabatieh al-Fawqa municipality building. The raids coincided with artillery shelling near the orphanage in Meifadoun.

Additionally, Israeli forces engaged in heavy machine-gun fire at Wadi al-Hujair and nearby towns. In the Tyre district, a drone strike targeted a residential apartment in Housh Tyre, causing injuries and fires. Nighttime strikes also hit towns in Qana, Qleileh, and the area between Sultaniyeh and Tebnine.

Since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties, with more than 2,896 fatalities, over 8,824 injuries, and the displacement of over 1.6 million people, approximately one-fifth of Lebanon's population. Despite a ceasefire announced on April 17 and extended to May 17, exchanges of fire with Hezbollah continue.