Full story
Strikes and a drone accusation
Israeli army strikes hit southern Lebanon as phased Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment began under a June 26 framework, while Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,333 people and injured 12,236 others.
“accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire”
Shafaq News reported that the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire after the group allegedly targeted an Israeli engineering vehicle with an explosive drone in the Ali Taher Ridge area inside the “Security Zone,” leaving no soldiers injured.
Shafaq News said the Israeli military pledged to continue operations in the area to prevent attacks on its forces, and it added that Hezbollah had not commented on the allegation at the time of publication.
Anadolu Ajansı framed the same period as Israeli strikes coming as the withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment begin under the June 26 framework, with the Lebanese Health Ministry toll again cited for the March 2-to-latest period.
Bulldozing, shelling, and demolitions
US Muslims reported that Israeli forces carried out bulldozing, shelling and home demolitions across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, while drones flew over Beirut and its southern suburbs, in the latest violation of a US-mediated framework agreement.
The report said the Israeli army conducted bulldozing operations around the town of Kfar Shuba in the Hasbaya district, and it described Israeli artillery intermittently shelling the Ali al-Taher hill near Nabatieh al-Fawqa from 9.15 am (0615GMT).
In the Marjayoun district, US Muslims said Israeli forces set fire to homes in the town of Al-Qantara, and it added that Israeli military vehicles briefly advanced into the outskirts of Aita al-Jabal before withdrawing toward Hadatha in the Bint Jbeil district.
US Muslims also said the latest incidents came despite the US-mediated framework agreement signed on June 26, which provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army.
Human rights concerns and next talks
UPI reported that U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk saw a Gaza-like pattern in southern Lebanon, warning of a “very dangerous” unfolding situation and saying he was worried about the repetition of displacement, demolitions and destruction.
“very dangerous" unfolding situation”
UPI quoted Türk saying, “I am worried about the repetition of the pattern that we have seen in Gaza,” and it added that he warned that large-scale serious violations of international humanitarian law by Israel in southern Lebanon had been recorded.
UPI said Türk voiced concern about forced displacement, demolitions, territorial control and denial of returns, and it reported his hope that Lebanon-Israel talks in Rome on Aug. 4 would lead to de-escalation, withdrawal of Israeli troops, the full empowerment of the Lebanese state and respect for international humanitarian law.
Al-Manar TV Lebanon cited the Lebanese health ministry’s toll of “4,333 martyrs and 12,236 injuries” since March 2, keeping the casualty figures central as Türk’s warnings and the planned Rome talks point to what comes next.
