Katz declares Ali al-Taher part of Israeli-controlled zone as attacks on Lebanon continue

Israeli forces opened fire on several people in southern Lebanon on Monday, damaging a municipal vehicle, as attacks continued across the region and Israel's defence minister declared a strategic ridge would become part of its so-called security zone.

The shooting took place near a landfill in Chaqra, in Bint Jbeil district, as Israeli military vehicles moved towards Wadi Slouki between Chaqra and the occupied border village of Meis al-Jabal. No injuries were reported.

Israeli forces also carried out an explosion in Bint Jbeil and earthworks in Mansouri, while artillery fire targeted Mansouri, Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, Kfar Tebnit and Arnoun, the report said.

The latest attacks came after an Israeli patrol questioned the mayor of Kfar Shuba and confiscated his phone before releasing him.

Kfar Shuba municipality said mayor Qassem al-Qadri was questioned while visiting a water tank serving the town. He was later released and returned to his family.

The incident came as Israeli forces continued attacks and demolitions across southern Lebanon despite a truce agreement and ongoing US-mediated efforts to secure an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel declares strategic ridge part of security zone

Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge would now be part of what Israel calls its "Yellow Line" and security zone in Lebanon.

Last week, Israeli forces detonated what they said were tunnels beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, a strategic highland long used by Hezbollah. The explosion was recorded as equivalent to a 4.1-magnitude earthquake.

Katz said Israeli forces would prevent Hezbollah or anyone else from returning to the area and warned that anyone approaching Ali al-Taher would be killed.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have repeatedly made clear that we will not leave the security belt, and that the army will not withdraw or redeploy until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon," Katz said.

The declaration came as Israel continued to maintain troops inside southern Lebanon and carry out airstrikes, artillery fire and demolitions in areas where residents are attempting to return.

Israeli forces had been systematically targeting Mansouri, a village in the Tyre district divided by the "Yellow Line", because Israel fears Hezbollah could reposition there.

On Monday, heavy gunfire was also reported around Shaqra and Baraachit as Israeli forces sought to prevent residents from returning, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.

The violence has raised fears in Lebanon that Nabatiyeh and surrounding areas could face a similar fate to parts of southern Lebanon that remain under Israeli occupation. Ali al-Taher overlooks Nabatiyeh and provides Israeli forces with a strategic position over the city and surrounding areas.

Talks planned as attacks continue

The latest escalation comes as Lebanon and Israel prepare for another round of US-mediated talks.

The US embassy in Beirut said Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors will meet in Washington next week to discuss implementation of the trilateral framework, while the next round of formal Lebanese-Israeli talks will be held in Rome in October.

A US State Department official also confirmed to Reuters that the Rome talks would take place in October. The seventh round of negotiations in Rome in August ended without a breakthrough on key territorial issues.

The announcement came a day after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said there were currently no new negotiations with Israel.

The talks are being planned while Israeli forces continue attacks across southern Lebanon, including airstrikes, artillery fire and the demolition of homes.

The Lebanese army said Israeli forces had failed to comply with the agreement, recording around 7,700 violations from the signing of the framework on 26 June last year. It also said Israeli forces had fired near army personnel and patrols.

Israel's offensive in Lebanon has killed more than 4,300 people since 2 March, according to Lebanese figures, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced.