Israeli Airstrikes and Bombings in the South Ahead of Rome Negotiations

Israel intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon on Saturday, carrying out a series of airstrikes and bombings targeting various regions and towns, as tensions escalate ahead of the upcoming round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Rome.

An Israeli drone launched a guided missile strike on an open area between Al-Jarmak and Kfar Raman, while the Israeli army demolished a senior citizens' social care home in Halwa, along with conducting explosions on vehicles and storage facilities.

In Nabatiye, a drone targeted a building on Nabi Bari Street with a guided missile, hitting the upper floor wall without causing any injuries.

Additionally, Israeli airstrikes targeted the area stretching between the al-Deer neighborhood and the Ali al-Tahir ridge on the outskirts of upper Nabatiye, as well as strikes on Al-Mansouri in the Saida district and the region between Western Zutur and Qaaqieh al-Jisr.

Artillery shelling also hit the outskirts of Western Zutur and Harih.

The escalation comes as Lebanon and Israel prepare for their eighth round of direct talks in Rome at the beginning of September, following the previous round that ended without agreement on expanding the scope of Israel’s withdrawal from the south.

The two sides had signed a framework agreement in Washington on June 26 under U.S. mediation, calling for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army, with current negotiations focused on implementation mechanisms and completing the withdrawal.