Lebanese Prime Minister Nouf Salam’s office reported on Thursday that an unauthorized party gained access to his account on the social media platform X, which the article mentions without specifying its former name. The intruder deleted a post from the previous day that featured sharp criticism of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. Salam restored the statement after detecting the breach but did not identify who was responsible for the security incident.
Criticism of Military Operations in Southern Lebanon
The restored post details Salam’s stance on Israeli activities in towns such as Mansouri, Zoutar el-Charqiyeh, and Kfar Tebnit. According to the Prime Minister, these operations—which include incursions, the systematic destruction of residential neighborhoods, and the targeting of government buildings and places of worship—constitute a serious violation of international law and international humanitarian law. Salam rejected the justification that these areas house military facilities, stating that the nature of the targets on the ground refutes such claims.
The Lebanese Army also issued a statement regarding the ongoing hostilities. The military reported that these actions are hindering its efforts to deploy personnel and preventing displaced residents from returning to their homes. Specifically, the army noted the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Zoutar el-Charqiyeh, describing the campaign as a systematic effort by the occupying forces to maximize damage and obstruct the establishment of stability in the region.
Did You Know?
The incident occurred as the Lebanese Army reported active, ongoing efforts to prevent the stabilization of southern villages, including the specific destruction of homes and infrastructure in the Nabatieh Governorate.
Status of the Framework Agreement and Regional Negotiations
The current tension occurs within the context of a “framework formula” signed by Lebanon and Israel in Washington on June 26. This agreement outlines a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese Army, and the implementation of security arrangements, including the disarmament of non-state armed groups. The process relies on a “pilot areas” model to verify compliance.
Following a mid-July meeting in Rome, both parties agreed on the mechanism for these pilot areas. A field implementation began in Zoutar el-Gharbiyeh, where the Lebanese Army deployed and some residents returned. However, the most recent round of negotiations, held in Rome between August 4 and 6, focused on expanding these areas and addressing outstanding border issues. While Lebanon proposed including Khiam or Bint Jbeil in the next phase, no new withdrawal zones were announced.
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