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.

President Joseph Aoun met Wednesday in Baabda with U.S. general Joseph Clearfield, the head of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Beirut, Michel Issa.

During the meeting, they discussed the procedures for implementing the framework agreement reached as a result of the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington, in light of General Clearfield's talks in Israel last week, the Presidency said.

Parliament on Wednesday passed a sweeping and long-awaited amnesty law that should benefit thousands of prisoners and wanted people, in the first legislation of its kind since 1991.

The office of the speaker of parliament announced the "approval of a draft law aimed at granting a general amnesty and exceptionally reducing the terms of certain sentences", which had been a demand of various political factions and a topic of debate for years in Lebanon.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said principles of Security Council Resolution 1701 – adopted exactly two decades ago and which forms basis of UNIFIL’s mandate – remain the cornerstone of efforts to preserve stability in south Lebanon and support peace in the region.

Speaking during a commemorative ceremony at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, Major General Abagnara said that, in a changing and increasingly complex regional environment, “the principles of Resolution 1701 are more relevant than ever.”

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa announced Tuesday that "the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations are taking place every two or three weeks and are making significant progress and offering a new solution in each round."