Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon as Aoun says assaults obstruct 'framework formula’

The Israeli army continued attacks across southern Lebanon on Thursday as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in Paris that the ongoing assaults and occupation of parts of the country are obstructing the full implementation of the “framework formula.”

The Israeli attacks included airstrikes, artillery shelling, gunfire, explosions, bulldozing and the burning of homes in the districts of Tyre, Nabatieh, Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil, while Israeli drones were also reported flying over Beirut, its southern suburbs and Hermel district.

In Tyre district, the Israeli army continued to conduct airstrikes on the town of Al-Mansouri, targeting residential areas and infrastructure, while residents of neighboring villages felt tremors, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

Israeli artillery also shelled Al-Mansouri and Wadi al-Aziyeh on the outskirts of Al-Mansouri and Al-Hinniyeh.

Israeli warplanes also carried out overnight strikes on Al-Mansouri, Majdal Zoun and nearby valleys.

Later Thursday, Israeli aircraft carried out a strike with two missiles on Al-Mansouri before targeting the town again in a second raid, while Israeli forces continued bulldozing homes there.

In Nabatieh district, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh near the earthen barrier separating it from Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh as Israeli forces burned homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh.

The area between the Ali al-Taher Heights and Al-Dabsha Hill on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa also came under intermittent artillery shelling, which also targeted the area between Mayfadoun and Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh.

Israeli artillery also shelled the Al-Dimashqiyeh area on the eastern outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, while the Israeli army carried out an explosion in Yahmar al-Shaqif.

In Bint Jbeil district, Israeli artillery shelled the town of Hadatha, while the army carried out a large explosion in Aita al-Shaab.

In Marjayoun district, Israeli forces opened machine-gun fire toward Wadi al-Hujair near the town of Qabrikha early Thursday.

In Beirut, Israeli drones continued flying at low altitude over the capital and its southern suburbs from before noon Thursday.

Low-flying drones were also reported over Hermel district.

The attacks coincided with Aoun’s participation in a preparatory meeting in Paris for an international conference to support the Lebanese army and internal security forces.

Aoun reiterated that the tripartite “framework formula” reached with Israel is intended to end the war and move toward a new phase of security and stability.

“Lebanon has fulfilled its commitments, but completing the implementation of this commitment and consolidating stability cannot be achieved amid continued Israeli attacks and violations and the occupation of parts of Lebanese territory," he said.

“The army’s role is expanding, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it is required to strengthen the state’s presence, extend its authority and protect stability amid continued Israeli attacks and violations,” he added.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-sponsored framework agreement in Washington providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Aoun previously said that the greatest challenge in southern Lebanon is securing Israel’s withdrawal from occupied villages and towns and deploying the Lebanese army up to the international border, stressing efforts with Lebanon’s partners to press for implementation of the framework agreement.

Despite the agreement, Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon and still occupies areas in the south, some for decades and others seized during recent wars and military operations.

On Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks between March 2 and Sept. 17 had risen to 4,386, with 12,407 others injured, according to NNA.

The ministry said the overall toll since Oct. 8, 2023 had reached 8,953 killed and 30,643 injured.