Israel again attacks several areas in southern Lebanon

Israeli fighter jets and artillery launched a series of strikes against several settlements in southern Lebanon on Monday (17 August), according to Lebanese military field sources speaking to RIA Novosti.

“Israeli aircraft struck the Al-Mansouri settlement several times, while artillery fired on the village of Zawtar El Charqiyeh and other areas in the southern part of the country,” the source said.

An Israeli drone also dropped explosives in the Ed-Dabsha area, on the outskirts of the village of Nabatiyeh El Faouqa. The village of Aitaroun was also targeted by Israeli artillery and machine-gun fire.

An artillery shell struck the government building of the village of Bani Haiyyan. Meanwhile, an Israeli drone crashed near the Zibqin settlement, according to the source.

On Monday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported an increase in Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon.

According to the mission, between 5 and 16 August, peacekeeping forces recorded an average of 137 munitions fired each day. The figure reached 208 on Saturday and 185 on Sunday.

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington on 26 June that included a full ceasefire and the return of control of the southern territory to the Lebanese army, on condition of the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Negotiations on the implementation mechanism for the agreement continued in Rome on 6-7 August.

However, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued almost daily. Israel has also maintained a military presence in the southern region, forcing most of the local population to flee.