UPDATE - Israeli army launches fresh airstrikes, machine-gun fire in southern Lebanon
- Mosque targeted near Lebanese army checkpoint, drone hits home as attacks continue across south
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- Mosque targeted near Lebanese army checkpoint, drone hits home as attacks continue across south
ADDS DETAILS, REVISES DECK
By Stephanie Rady, Serdar Dincel and Tarek Chouiref
BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (AA) - Israeli forces targeted a mosque and carried out airstrikes, demolitions and machine-gun fire across southern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The attacks came despite a US-brokered framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in June and renewed diplomatic efforts to address security disputes between the two sides.
Israeli strikes and military operations targeted several locations, including the districts of Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun and Tyre, according to the agency.
In Nabatieh district, Israeli warplanes struck an area between the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit.
Israeli forces also carried out a large demolition blast in Kfar Tebnit, while a drone exploded at an inhabited home in nearby Maifadoun. No injuries were reported in that incident, said NNA.
In the Bint Jbeil district, an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Baraachit, where troops subsequently carried out a large demolition. A Merkava tank also fired at the outskirts of Srebbine, while another blast was reported in Wadi al-Ghadir.
In Marjayoun district, Israeli forces carried out a demolition in Tallousa as a drone flew at low altitude over nearby towns.
Troops also opened machine-gun fire from the direction of Khiam toward farmland in Ibl al-Saqi. Israeli warplanes also struck an area between Adshit al-Qusayr and Taybeh.
In the Tyre district, Israeli forces targeted a mosque in al-Amiriyah, near a Lebanese army checkpoint. NNA provided no details about casualties or damage.
An Israeli airstrike also hit Mansouri before the town came under artillery fire, while warplanes flew above the Tyre area.
Israeli drones flew low over Tyre and surrounding towns, reaching both banks of the Litani River in the Qasmiyeh area.
According to an Anadolu correspondent, Israeli drones have continued flying over Beirut’s southern suburbs since the morning.
The latest Israeli attacks followed US-sponsored military and technical talks between Lebanon and Israel in Tampa, Florida, on Oct. 20-21. The meetings ended without an announced breakthrough or a joint statement.
Reports indicated that the sides agreed to continue negotiations, although disagreements remained over Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The June framework agreement provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups.
Despite the agreement, Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon.
Since March 2, the attacks have killed at least 4,386 people, wounded 12,407 others and displaced more than 1 million people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.