Israel Shells Southern Lebanese Villages Amid Ceasefire Talks

The Israeli army shelled villages in southern Lebanon with artillery and launched air strikes on Sunday. Lebanese military sources reported that Israeli drones dropped incendiary munitions on the Mansouri area, sparking large fires that consumed agricultural land and mountainous terrain. Additional artillery fire targeted the Ali al-Taher ridge and areas between Zawtar and Maifadoun. The bombardment continues despite diplomatic efforts, with negotiations on a mechanism to implement a framework agreement taking place in Rome on 6–7 August. The framework, reached in Washington on 26 June, envisages a full ceasefire and the restoration of Lebanese army control over the south, conditional on the disarmament of Hizbullah. Israel maintains a military presence in southern Lebanon, and the ongoing hostilities have forced most local residents to flee.