Lebanese Prime Minister Condemns Israeli Destruction Following Defense Minister's Visit

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has condemned Israel's systematic destruction of homes, infrastructure, government buildings, and places of worship in southern Lebanon, calling the actions a serious violation of international law. The statements followed a visit to southern Lebanon on Wednesday by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. During his visit, Katz stated that the military was destroying underground infrastructure and all houses in the area, while vowing to maintain a long term military presence in the buffer zone.

Prime Minister Salam argued that claiming entire villages are military facilities is illogical and cannot justify the displacement of inhabitants or the prevention of their return. Meanwhile, the United States State Department rebuked Katz's comments, stating that a permanent military presence is inconsistent with the framework deal brokered by Washington. The U.S. official emphasized that Israel had previously stated it has no territorial ambition in Lebanon and that redeployment is tied to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah.

Reports from Lebanon's state run National News Agency and the Lebanese army indicated that Israeli troops carried out detonations in southern villages, including the destruction of a municipal building, a public school, a health clinic, and a children's nursery in Zawtar al-Shariqya. The Times of Israel noted that Hezbollah is heavily entrenched in civilian infrastructure and opposes the June framework deal, which aims for Hezbollah's disarmament and the eventual withdrawal of the IDF.