Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces escalate attacks and artillery shelling, penetrating southern towns

Israeli occupation forces continued their attacks on southern Lebanon on Saturday, launching intense artillery shelling and ground incursions into several southern villages and towns.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that a force from the Israeli occupation army advanced toward the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi, erecting an earth berm around the square in a new violation of the existing “Framework Agreement” understandings. The agency noted that the incursion was supported by armored vehicles and bulldozers, amid heavy drone activity.

The agency added that occupation forces also penetrated the northern outskirts of the town of Ma’arrat al-Tabataba, coinciding with artillery shelling that targeted a residence, accompanied by machine-gun fire. Additionally, another artillery barrage struck the town of Mansouri, causing damage to several homes.

It clarified that Israeli occupation artillery targeted the forests of Mount Ali al-Tahir and the area between Doha Kafarroman and Tell al-Dabsha, overlooking Nabatieh, amid heavy low-altitude combat aircraft flights over the central and western sectors.

These violations and ground developments come as the “Framework Agreement,” reached under U.S. sponsorship to end military confrontations between the two sides, remains in effect. The Special Coordination Group for Lebanon is responsible for direct coordination between the parties to ensure the gradual withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces and the extension of Lebanese state sovereignty through the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern regions.