Lead:
Lebanon faces a convergence of urgent pressures on Thursday: Israeli military forces continued explosive demolitions, drone strikes, and illumination bombing across southern Lebanese villages, while the cabinet of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam convened in Beirut to approve new appointments and key infrastructure decisions. Simultaneously, parliamentary and diplomatic activity intensified around the framework agreement, depositor protection legislation, and Hezbollah's internal military restructuring — underscoring the fragile coexistence of state-building efforts and active security threats.
Details:
On the security front, multiple sources reported escalating Israeli activity in the south. Shafaqna Lebanon confirmed that Israeli forces carried out an explosion in the town of Al-Tayreh in the Bint Jbeil district and dropped illumination bombs over Beit Yahoun. A separate Israeli drone strike targeted the vicinity of the Ali Al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon, according to the same outlet. Al-Manar correspondents reported additional demolitions in Beit Yahoun. Al-Diyar cited the National News Agency in reporting that Israeli forces swept residential neighborhoods in Braashit with automatic fire, damaging several homes, while a strike hit the outskirts of Nabatieh. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated publicly that Israel would remain in the southern Lebanese security belt "as long as necessary," declaring that the war was not over.
UNIFIL, in a statement carried by both Shafaqna Lebanon and Al-Diyar, acknowledged a recent reduction in violence but cautioned that the situation in southern Lebanon remains fragile, stressing that dialogue and coordination are essential to restoring lasting stability. Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported a cumulative toll of 4,321 killed and 12,204 wounded since March 2.
On the political front, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired a cabinet session at the Grand Serail. Information Minister Paul Marqos announced that the council approved a package of new administrative appointments and gave its consent to activating Qleyaat airport for international operations. Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, meanwhile, met an Iranian diplomatic delegation, asserting that Lebanon is committed to its sovereignty and that no foreign entity may dominate Lebanese state decisions.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received European Union ambassadors alongside envoys from Britain, Australia, and Canada at Ain el-Tineh, reaffirming that the legislature stands unanimously behind securing depositors' funds in full through a financial gap law. President Joseph Aoun separately received Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov to discuss regional developments and preparations for the upcoming Arab-Russian Forum.
The Wafa al-Muqawama parliamentary bloc renewed its rejection of the framework agreement, describing it as unconstitutional and illegitimate, and criticized official silence over Israeli demolition activity in the south.
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