Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Sep 3: Israel struck southern Lebanon on Wednesday after Hezbollah launched two explosive drones towards Israeli troops, in the latest test of the June ceasefire.
Lebanon's National News Agency reported Israeli shelling and airstrikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim and the Ali al-Taher Ridge, along with machine-gun fire towards Zawtar al-Sharqiyah.
The Israeli military said Hezbollah launched the drones overnight towards its troops in the Ali al-Taher Ridge. The Israeli army shot down one drone, with no casualties immediately reported, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh area and sites allegedly used to plan and direct attacks against Israeli troops.
Israeli attacks have killed 4,353 people in Lebanon in the latest round of fighting that began in March, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Lebanese Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health.
A US-brokered ceasefire in June reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, but Israeli strikes in Lebanon have continued. Israeli troops also remain in territory seized during the latest war.
Israeli military operations continue across southern Lebanon, including airstrikes, ground incursions, artillery bombardments and demolition work, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).
On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck an area between Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Mayfadoun at around 7 pm and later targeted another area between Zawtar and Arnoun, while Israeli forces carried out large explosions in Arnoun al-Shaqif and on the outskirts of Yahmar al-Shaqif, NNA reported.
The agency added that Israeli forces conducted a machine-gun sweep from Haddatha towards the outskirts of Aita al-Jabal, while a drone struck the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
Amid the escalating situation, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday vowed that residents displaced from southern Lebanon would return “safely and with dignity.”
Salam said the south should not remain an open arena for wars and conflicts decided outside Lebanon, stressing that the state must have sole authority over decisions of war and peace in Lebanon.