• An Israeli strike destroys a public school building in the southern Lebanese town of Kafr Tibnit, Lebanon’s National News Agency reports, citing aerial images that show damage consistent with a demolition operation.

Iran’s FM tells Lebanon’s speaker regional coordination is vital against ‘Israeli aggression’

Iran’s Press TV reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held a phone call with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss regional developments and the need for greater coordination against “Israeli aggression and warmongering”.

During the call, Araghchi reaffirmed “Iran’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” while stressing the Islamic Republic’s “full support for Lebanon’s resistance”, Press TV said.

In response, Berri thanked Iran for its support and briefed Araghchi on the situation in southern Lebanon, emphasising the “legal and moral responsibility of the international community and Islamic countries” to stop “Israeli violations and hold perpetrators accountable”.

Israeli forces carry out heavy explosions in southern Lebanese towns

Israeli forces have conducted a heavy bombardment overnight on the outskirts of the towns of Baraachit and Qounine in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency reports.

The agency did not immediately report any casualties or damage from the attacks.

Israel ‘deploys’ drones over Lebanon’s Beirut, southern suburbs

Israel has deployed drones over Lebanon’s capital Beirut and its southern suburbs, the National News Agency (NNA) has reported.

Israel also launched a sound bomb towards a shepherd in Arid, in the Marjayoun district, the NNA said.

US Embassy delegation visits ‘safe zone’ town in southern Lebanon

A delegation from the US Embassy in Beirut has visited the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon, according to our colleagues on the ground.

The delegation inspected the town as Israel’s bombardment and military occupation of the south continue.

Designated a “safe zone” after the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement was signed, Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh is guarded by Lebanese forces but is also surrounded by Israeli troops and tanks to its east.

The United States brokered the direct talks that began in April, and it is also a signatory to what is officially a trilateral agreement. But the agreement does not force Israel to withdraw from the large area of southern Lebanon it continues to occupy.

Lebanon PM says country can’t afford reconstruction costs, needs support of Arab allies

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says Lebanon, due to its limited resources, cannot bear the reconstruction costs of Israel’s offensive against the country and needs support from its Arab allies.

In an address to parliament, Salam said the following:

• Lebanon has been plunged into a war it did not choose and that was imposed on us, costing between $3 and $4bn.
• We have worked to strengthen the capabilities of our armed forces, and are working with our Arab and international partners to provide them with more support.
• There will be no security or stability in the country as long as the war continues in the south, and our goal is Israel’s withdrawal from all our lands and the return of the displaced.
• The decision of war and peace should be solely in the hands of the state.
• Financial discipline is not an option but a condition for monetary stability and a line of defence for the state’s spending capacity.
• What we want is a budget that is financially responsible, socially protective, supports growth and encourages investment.
• Government efforts are focused on returning displaced families to their villages and towns.
• After we succeeded in restoring Lebanon’s severed ties in the Arab region, we were able to increase our exports to several Arab countries.

Israeli military carries out heavy bombardment in southern Lebanon’s Qounine

Israeli forces have carried out heavy bombardment in the town of Qounine, in southern Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil district, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Iran FM and Lebanon parliament speaker discuss ‘Israeli warmongering’ in phone call: Iranian media

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss regional developments and the need for greater coordination against “Israeli aggression and warmongering,” according to Iran’s WANA and Press TV media outlets.

Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s “commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and stressed Iran’s “full support for Lebanon’s resistance,” according to the report. Berri thanked Iran for its support and briefed Araghchi on the situation in southern Lebanon.

Berri also emphasized to Araghchi the “legal and moral responsibility of the international community and Islamic countries” to halt “Israeli violations and hold perpetrators accountable”.

Israeli army bombs al-Mansouri, shells Haddatha in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army has bombed the coastal town of al-Mansouri in Tyre district, while shelling the town of Haddatha in Bint Jbeil, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Lebanese President Aoun calls on Europe to help fund reconstruction

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Europe to contribute to Lebanon’s reconstruction, saying the country would welcome any nation that keeps its forces in the south after the mandate for the international peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL expires.

His comments came as the Israeli army announced the destruction of missile launch platforms and a tunnel opening belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army claimed its forces found rocket launchers containing 32 rockets aimed at Israel, along with the tunnel site, adding that these had been left in the “security zone” before an April ceasefire agreement took effect.

US committed to supporting Lebanese state authority: US embassy

The United States embassy in Beirut says that the US remains committed to supporting the Lebanese government in strengthening state authority.

The embassy’s statement comes after a visit by US Ambassador Michel Issa to southern Lebanon.”

“Ambassador Michel Issa visited southern Lebanon today to assess conditions on the ground and see firsthand the progress and challenges in the pilot zones,” the embassy said in a social media post.

“My visit to southern Lebanon allowed me to witness firsthand the challenges facing its communities. I deeply sympathize with residents who have endured displacement and uncertainty,” Issa was quoted in the statement.

Israel has occupied territories across southern Lebanon for months, insisting its presence is necessary to fight Hezbollah.

Under a US-brokered plan, Israel is to hand over control of some areas it occupies, known as “pilot zones” to the Lebanese armed forces.

Israeli air strikes hit several areas in south Lebanon: state media

Israeli forces have carried out air strikes in at least three areas in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported.

Two waves of air strikes targeted the Ain al-Samahiyah district near Mayfadoun, the agency reported. Israeli strikes also hit the Wadi Zibqin area in the Tyre region as well as the Marjayoun area.