Beirut: The Israeli army conducted explosions, artillery shelling, a ground incursion, and house burnings in southern Lebanon on Monday, marking continued violations of the ceasefire. According to Anadolu Agency, Lebanon's state news agency, the National News Agency (NNA), reported that Israeli forces fired machine guns toward Wadi al-Salouqi in Nabatieh governorate and shelled the town of Mansouri overnight.
The NNA further detailed that Israeli forces executed two explosions in the Mansouri area. In Nabatieh, a major explosion occurred in Kfar Tebnit, with the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa experiencing intermittent artillery fire from Israeli positions. Additionally, several houses were burned in Khiam as Israeli operations persisted in the town.
The agency also noted that Israeli forces advanced into the western outskirts of Mays al-Jabal, accompanied by artillery fire targeting a house. Israeli drones were observed flying at low altitudes over the Zahrani area. No reports of casualties or property damage have been issued.
These aggressive actions followed the seventh round of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Rome under U.S. sponsorship, with discussions centered on implementing a framework agreement reached on June 26. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun remarked during a Cabinet session that Lebanon had made 'positive progress' in the Rome discussions on border and detainee issues.
The framework agreement proposes a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, starting with 'pilot zones' in designated areas, in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups, notably Hezbollah. Despite these negotiations, Israel's aggression, starting on March 2, has resulted in 4,335 deaths, 12,277 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million individuals, as per Lebanese authorities.
Israel continues to occupy regions of southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the 2023-2024 conflict, with its forces advancing over 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current campaign. Additionally, Israel maintains occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories, resisting withdrawal or the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as called for by pertinent UN resolutions.