Israeli artillery shelling sparked fires in the southern town of Bani Hayyan Friday while Israeli forces detonated houses in Markaba nearby.

Strikes targeted al-Mansouri and Majdalzoun and detonations were also registered in al-Mansouri, Beit Yahoun, Haddatha, and Kounine.

The United Kingdom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lebanon’s Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and Ministry of Defense, reaffirming its “long-standing partnership with Lebanon’s security institutions.”

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and U.S. General Joseph Clearfield met Friday with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Visiting General Clearfield heads a coordination group involved with the U.S. sponsored June agreement. The framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in "pilot zones".

Defense Minister Michel Menassa met Thursday at his office in Yarze with Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, who led a delegation comprising members of the Military Council and senior officers of the Army Command.

Israeli news portal Walla on Thursday quoted Israeli and U.S. officials as saying that "there is no agreement between Lebanon and Israel on forming a body to oversee the Lebanese Army's operations in the designated pilot zones."

Defense Minister Michel Menassa expressed Thursday profound regret to the families of fallen military officers, saying in a poignant statement that he felt he had failed them amidst growing political pressures on the armed forces.

"I apologize to the families of our martyrs; today, I feel I have let you down.

The Trump administration has said that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s comments that Israel will not withdraw from certain south Lebanon areas are inconsistent with a framework deal agreed to by Israel and Lebanon.

A U.S. State Department official reaffirmed that the U.S. “expects all parties to act in a manner consistent with the framework they agreed to,” which does not include a long-term or permanent Israeli presence in south Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed Wednesday that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon.

During a visit to Israeli forces in occupied southern Lebanon, he stated: "I have instructed the Israeli army to take all necessary steps for a long-term presence in the security zone encompassing Lebanon, Syria and Gaza."

The Lebanese Army announced Wednesday that Israeli forces are “continuing their attacks and violations of existing agreements and international law, most recently detonating the municipality building in Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh ... in addition to the public school, clinic, kindergarten, and several homes in the town.”

Israeli drones targeted Wednesday the Kafra-Assi road, Beit Yahoun and al-Mansouri, injuring several people, the National News Agency said.

In Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, Haddatha, Beit Yahoun, Wadi touline and Wadi Slouqi, Israeli forces carried out demolitions.