U.S. Official Says Lebanon Pilot Zone Will Launch Within Days, UNIFIL Expands South Presence

A U.S. official said a first "pilot zone" in Lebanon, where the Lebanese Army will take control of an area currently occupied by Israeli forces, will be launched "within days," while additional zones are being mapped and planned.

“Explosions heard in several areas of southern Iran Several explosions were heard in southern parts of Iran including Bushehr, where one of Iran's nuclear plants is located, Konarak and Choghadak, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Thursday”

L'Orient Today

The Reuters-linked report said Beirut demanded that Israel withdraw from two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon before taking part in the new round of talks scheduled for July 15 and 16, with Froun in the Bint Jbeil district and Zawtar Gharbieh in the Nabatieh district initially identified by Israeli media.

L'Orient Today

UNIFIL said the recent reduction in violence has allowed it to gradually increase its operational activities across south Lebanon, and that peacekeepers are expanding their presence as families begin returning to their villages.

UNIFIL also said the situation remains critical even as violence since June has decreased, and it added that peacekeepers continue monitoring developments and engaging with the parties while supporting local communities wherever possible.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said he was "closely monitoring developments in Iran and Lebanon" and that the military is "ready to act immediately," warning, "We will respond with force to anyone who seeks to harm us."

Palestine Chronicle said Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes and artillery attacks across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, escalating tensions despite an existing ceasefire and a US-sponsored framework agreement just days before Lebanese and Israeli officials are expected to resume negotiations in Rome.

The Palestine Chronicle account said Lebanese media reported Israeli drones targeted areas in Beit Yahoun and that artillery shelling struck the outskirts of several towns in southern Lebanon.

Vietnam.vn

It also said Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed more than 4,300 people and injured over 12,000 others.

Vietnam.vn, citing the Lebanese National News Agency, said the initial attack targeted the Al-Taher Forest area on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fuqah, followed by three more airstrikes targeting the area between Beit Yihon, Kunin, and Brakhit in the Bint Jbeil District.

Vietnam.vn added that the attacks occurred just one day after Israeli Foreign Minister Gad Sa’ar announced that a new round of talks between the two sides would be held in Rome, Italy from July 14 to 15.

Vietnam.vn said the framework agreement reached on June 26 between Lebanon and Israel aimed at ending hostilities along the border, with the Israeli Defense Forces beginning withdrawing troops from two areas within the 1.8-kilometer-long security zone it established in southern Lebanon to relinquish control to the Lebanese army.

“According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the initial attack targeted the Al-Taher Forest area on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fuqah, following intermittent Israeli shelling of the area”

Vietnam.vn

It reported that on July 7 the Lebanese Health Ministry announced the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 4,320, with 12,203 wounded.

The same report said Israel continues to control parts of southern Lebanon and that, in the latest attack, Israeli forces pushed a further 10 kilometers into the neighboring country’s territory.

In parallel, L'Orient Today reported that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military is prepared to strike Iran "a third time if necessary," during a military ceremony.

L'Orient Today also quoted Arnoun’s mayor Fawaz Qatbay expressing “concern” that Israeli machinery and bulldozers were carrying out earthmoving work in the Arnoun nature reserve at the foot of Beaufort Castle in the Nabatieh district.