• Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says that the military is ready to expand operations against Hezbollah after reporting the clearance of a tunnel network in southern Lebanon’s Ali Al-Taher ridge.

President Joseph Aoun visits Nabatieh

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has visited the southern town of Nabatieh, just a day after Israel hit the city with new air attacks.

Aoun was accompanied by the country’s army commander, General Rodolphe Haykal.

Israeli shelling targets several southern Lebanon towns

The Israeli military is shelling the Kfar Reman area in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, the National News Agency (NNA) reports.

Shelling also targeted the Wadi al-Salouqi area in Bint Jbeil district and the outskirts of the town of Arnoun, NNA said.

An Israeli air strike killed at least 11 people in Kfar Reman last week.

BRICS leaders call for conflict prevention and say Gaza ceasefire should be upheld

The BRICS group of emerging economies has agreed on a joint declaration, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced.

Here is what the declaration said:

• On Lebanon, BRICS leaders welcomed the “ceasefire” and called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ensures the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Explosions reportedly sound across southern Lebanon

Israel has carried out bombings in several locations across southern Lebanon’s Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, including the towns of Haddatha and the outskirts of Aynata.

The National News Agency reported that blasts also targeted multiple homes in al-Mansouri, which has been subjected to more than 30 explosions since last night.

Lebanon and Israel have held several rounds of direct talks in Washington and Rome. Hezbollah has rejected direct talks with Israel and has called on the government to abolish the framework agreement reached in June. The group has also refused to call for its disarmament.

Lebanon’s president makes rare visit to Israeli-occupied south

President Joseph Aoun arrived at a southern city close to where Israel captured a strategic hill during fears of more Israeli army attacks.

Aoun’s visit to Nabatieh came after Israel seized parts of Ali al-Taher Ridge earlier this month, and Israeli officials said they blew up Hezbollah tunnel networks despite a June 20, US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese group.

A man told Aoun in footage aired on local TV stations that residents want to feel secure and that their children are safe after being displaced and humiliated. Aoun said the state will follow up on the residents’ needs “so that you stay here”.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and displaced about one million.

Israel attacks Ali al-Taher ridge and Qantara in southern Lebanon

Israeli air raids have struck Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. They follow the demolition earlier this week of what Israeli forces said was a Hezbollah tunnel network there. The strategically important ridge is between the towns of Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

The Israeli military also carried out a large bombing operation in Qantara in the Marjayoun district, reported Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Israel launches air strikes in southern Lebanon

Israel has carried out air strikes on two areas in southern Lebanon, according to our colleagues on the ground.

One Israeli strike hit the outskirts of the town of Haris, while another targeted the area around the Ali al-Taher Heights.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Israel bombs southern Lebanon as talks postponed

The next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the US, has been postponed as Israeli forces continue to strike southern Lebanon.

The talks were scheduled to take place in Rome this month but will now be held in October.