Lebanon is awaiting the visit of US Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, early next week to ascertain the US position on the post-UNIFIL phase and what he will convey to Lebanese officials regarding the alternative, in exchange for steps Lebanon is expected to take. This comes amidst statements from Washington and Paris concerning the situation in southern Lebanon, which may open the door to a UN-backed alternative. It is worth noting that information indicates France has contacted Lebanese political forces to gauge their opinions on this matter. These developments were discussed at Baabda Palace, where President Joseph Aoun received the Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon and Humanitarian Coordinator, Imran Riza. They discussed the situation in Lebanon in general, and in the south in particular, in light of the ongoing Israeli attacks and the Lebanese government’s efforts to end them, as well as the consultations underway to prevent any vacuum that might arise after the end of UNIFIL’s operational mandate in Lebanon.
While awaiting the resolution of the situation, the southern region continued to witness Israeli violations of the ceasefire. Artillery shelling targeted the towns of Majdal Zoun, Beit al-Sayyad, Bani Hayyan, and Tallousa, coinciding with combing operations in the direction of the town. This followed a nighttime artillery bombardment that struck the outskirts of Mays al-Jabal, Aitaroun, and Wadi al-Salouqi towards Shaqra. The Israeli army also fired machine guns towards the main road leading to the town of Mansouri. Israeli forces carried out a heavy explosion in Khiam, in the direction of the Ain Ibl al-Saqi spring. Additionally, drones were observed flying at low altitude over Beirut and at medium altitude over the Bekaa Valley, reaching the vicinity of Baalbek and its surrounding villages. An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the town of Yater, but no injuries were reported.
