The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli forces carried out bombing and arson operations on Thursday morning in the towns of Majdal Zoun and Mansouri (in the South Governorate) and the surrounding valleys, while Israeli aircraft launched two raids at night on the town of Mansouri, and the sound of the explosions was heard in the city of Tyre.
These attacks come despite the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in Washington on June 26, which stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, in parallel with the deployment of the Lebanese army and the implementation of security arrangements that include the disarmament of armed groups outside the framework of the state.
In this context, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned what he described as "systematic bulldozing and destruction operations" carried out by Israel in the south, considering that the attacks, incursions, and destruction of homes, residential neighborhoods, infrastructure, government headquarters, and places of worship constitute a "serious violation" of the principles and rules of international law and international humanitarian law.
Salam said that justifying the destruction of villages and towns under the pretext of the presence of military installations cannot be a cover for destroying them, displacing their inhabitants and preventing them from returning, stressing that considering entire villages as military installations belonging to Hezbollah “does not make any sense.”
The Lebanese army also announced that the ongoing Israeli attacks and bulldozing and destruction operations are hindering the completion of its deployment in the south and the return of residents, noting the bombing of civilian facilities and homes in several towns, including Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Hadatha, where the National News Agency reported the destruction of a school building.
"Indefinitely"
In contrast, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, during a tour of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, said that the army would remain in the security zone "indefinitely," stressing that he had issued instructions to prepare for a "long-term stay" in the area, and that Israel would not withdraw from the security zone.
Washington responded to Katz's remarks, with a senior State Department official saying that the United States expects "all parties to act in accordance with the framework they agreed upon," stressing that Israel has clearly stated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.
The official added that "a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments contained in the Framework Agreement, as well as with the long-term peace and security of both countries," stressing America's full support for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He explained that the agreement stipulates a gradual redeployment of the occupation army, on the condition that Hezbollah is disarmed and its infrastructure is destroyed in a verifiable manner, noting that the Lebanese army has begun implementing the first phase of the "pilot zones" model.
Under the agreement, the Lebanese army deployed on July 21 in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the experimental areas, after the Israeli forces withdrew from itfrom its outskirts, and also reinforced its deployment in the towns of Srifa and Frun.
Lebanon and Israel concluded a seventh round of negotiations in Rome last week, while Washington announced that it will sponsor a new round of talks at the beginning of September, with the negotiations focusing on expanding the scope of the experimental zones, the Israeli withdrawal, and outstanding border issues.
Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon since March 2, which, according to Lebanese authorities, have resulted in the death of 4,335 people, the injury of 12,277 others, and the displacement of more than one million people.
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades, and others since the war between 2023 and 2024, while during the current offensive it has penetrated more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.
