Israeli artillery shells southern Lebanon as drones fly low over Tyre

Israeli artillery struck several areas in southern Lebanon on Thursday as Israeli drones flew at low altitude over the city of Tyre and its surroundings, according to Lebanese state media.

The official National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli artillery shelling targeted the town of Mansouri in South Governorate in the morning and later struck the Zibqin Valley in Nabatieh Governorate.

The agency said shelling had also targeted areas around the towns of Haddatha and Baraachit, as well as the Zibqin Valley, before dawn.

Artillery fire also hit Haddatha, accompanied by heavy machine-gun fire toward the town, it added.

NNA said Israeli drones were also seen flying at low altitude over Tyre and nearby areas, without providing further details.

Despite the signing of a framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv on June 26, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued, while Israel still occupies areas in the south, some held for decades and others seized during more recent wars and military operations.

The agreement provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Since March 2, Israel’s war on Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 people, injured 12,413 others and displaced more than 1 million, according to Lebanese authorities.