BEIRUT, August 24 (HS/RIA Novosti) - The Israeli army has intensified artillery and air strikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, blasting homes and civilian infrastructure, a Lebanese military source told RIA Novosti on Monday.

The Israeli army has intensified its strikes in southern Lebanon. Heavy artillery shelling targeted Mansouri, Meiss El Jabal, the outskirts of Aadchit El Qsair, the Majdal Zoun, Srebbine, the outskirts of Baraachit, Beit Yahoun, as well as Ali Al Taher Hill, Ed Debch, and Qantara, the source said.

He added that the Israeli military carried out a series of powerful explosions targeting residential buildings and infrastructure in Kounine, Taybeh and Mansouri from the Majdal Zoun direction.

According to the source, Israeli aircraft carried out intensive strikes on Ali Al Taher Hill and Ed Debch and Nabatiyeh El Faouqa neighborhoods, while a small Israeli drone dropped incendiary munitions between the towns of Hassaniyeh and El Qleaa.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington, DC, providing for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south of the country as territories come under the control of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of non-state groups, including Hezbollah, is confirmed, beginning with so-called pilot zones.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar