Lebanon condemns ‘systematic’ Israeli destruction in south

Lebanon has strongly condemned Israel's "systematic destruction" in the southern part of the country, calling it a violation of international law. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam made the statement, criticizing Israeli attacks, incursions, demolitions, and the destruction of homes, infrastructure, government buildings, and places of worship.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, visited southern Lebanon, vowing to maintain troops in what is known as the security zone, while claiming the Israeli military was destroying underground infrastructure and all houses in the area.

The conflict began in March when Hezbollah attacked Israel, leading to a heavy airstrike and ground invasion by Israel, which has reportedly killed over 4,300 people. In late June, a framework deal was reached involving Lebanon's disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region in pilot zones.

Since the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and the Lebanon-Israel deal, violence has significantly decreased, but intermittent Israeli strikes and demolitions still occur. Lebanon's army reported that Israeli troops detonated structures in southern villages, including the municipal building in Zawtar al-Shariqya, a public school, a health clinic, a children's nursery, and several homes.

Lebanon's army chief, Rodolphe Haykal, met with visiting US General Joseph Clearfield, who heads a coordination group involved with the June agreement, to discuss developments in the south and security arrangements. Additionally, President Joseph Aoun held a meeting with Clearfield, discussing the implementation of the framework deal. The two countries are set to hold an eighth round of US-sponsored negotiations next month in Rome.