Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon ahead of Washington talks

The Israeli army continues its military escalation in southern Lebanon with artillery shelling, airstrikes, and demolition operations, coinciding with preparations for a trilateral meeting in Tampa, Florida on October 20, involving a Lebanese military delegation to discuss a ceasefire, disarmament of Hezbollah, and Israeli withdrawal. President Aoun accused Israel of continuing its attacks.

The Israeli army continues its military escalation in southern Lebanon on Sunday, through artillery shelling, airstrikes, and house demolition operations, alongside military movements within several southern towns. This escalation comes ahead of a planned trilateral meeting in Tampa, Florida on October 20, with a Lebanese military delegation to present Beirut's demands for a halt to Israeli attacks, as part of direct talks mediated by the US addressing a cessation of hostilities, disarmament of Hezbollah, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to Reuters. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Saturday, affirmed that the Lebanese delegation will present the country's demands to stop the escalation, expressing hope for results consistent with the framework agreement. Aoun accused Israel of continuing its assaults, destroying homes, and preventing farmers from accessing their land, stressing that the ongoing occupation and tension in the south hinder the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international border, in implementation of Resolution 1701.