2026-07-15T15:45:12+00:00

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Shafaq News- Beirut

Israeli forces carried out explosions and artillery shelling across
southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to local media, hours after Beirut-Tel
Aviv talks on proposed pilot zones concluded in Rome.

Israeli forces detonated explosives in Kounine in the Bint Jbeil
district, Al-Qantara in the Marjayoun district, and Kfartebnit in the Nabatieh
district. Israeli drones also flew at low altitude over Tyre and surrounding
areas before continuing toward Beirut and its southern suburbs.

Israeli artillery shelled Aita Al-Jabal and fired phosphorus rounds
between Braachit and Beit Yahoun, sparking large fires.

Earlier today, the US Embassy in Beirut said Lebanon and Israel had
agreed on the structure and operational guidelines for proposed pilot zones in
southern Lebanon following two days of negotiations in Rome, without specifying
their locations. Under a US-brokered framework signed on June 26, Israel agreed
to withdraw from designated pilot zones before the Lebanese Army deploys there
as part of a phased withdrawal. Israeli forces, however, have yet to leave
those areas, while military operations in Lebanon have continued.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously identified
Zawtar Al-Gharbiya and Froun as the first two locations in the pilot phase.
Froun’s municipal council, however, had rejected the proposal, arguing that the
town is neither under Israeli occupation nor located along the so-called Yellow
Line.

Renewing its position on Wednesday, the council described the
proposed pilot zones as a measure that would “serve the enemy” by
prolonging Israel’s presence in Lebanese territory. It reaffirmed its support
for the positions of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement —both of which have
repeatedly rejected the talks— as well as Lebanon’s national priorities,
including the liberation of the remaining occupied Lebanese territory and the
preservation of national unity.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 4,300 people have
been killed and 12,200 injured in Israeli attacks on the country since March 2,
including women and children.