After visiting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa affirmed that "the United States is concerned with peace prevailing in Lebanon and for it to be independent and free from war."

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a CNN interview to help end the Israeli war on Lebanon, reaffirming the country's readiness to "enter into immediate negotiations with Israel."

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Hezbollah on Thursday of trying to drag its opponents, including the LF, into a civil war. "Noone will clash with them except the army and the security forces," he told MTV in an interview.

Geagea said Hezbollah's battle is "domestic" and removing Israel is a fake slogan the group uses. He said Hezbollah's priorities are tied exclusively to Iran, even if they might occasionally align with Lebanon's interests, and called for the arrest of Mahmoud Qmati after his recent statements against the satte and for ending Hezbollah's participation in the government after "its coup against the government's decisions".

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil said Hezbollah "must realize that its military situation is has ended," but added that it would be "a mistake for anyone to think they can eliminate Hezbollah's political wing."

Hezbollah said on Thursday its fighters were battling Israeli forces in south Lebanon, as a military source on the ground said Israeli troops were slowly advancing while "systematically destroying" border towns.

Hezbollah said it targeted overnight into Thursday Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Yuval, Misgav Am, Dishon, Manara, Naharaya, Haifa and Kfar Giladi in north Israel and Israeli soldiers and Merkava tanks near the southern border towns of Houla, Taybeh, Aitaroun, Odaisseh, Rob Tlatine, Alma al-Shaab and Markaba with rockets, artillery shells and attack drones.

Israeli strikes targeted overnight into Thursday Mayfadoun, al-Naqoura, al-Qantara, Tyre, al-Hosh, Insariyeh, al-Bazourieh, al-Rihan, Tayr Debba, Debaal, the border town of al-Khiam and a bridge in Qasmiyeh in south Lebanon. Artillery shelled Arnoun, al-Ghandourieh, Maroun al-Rass, Bint Jbeil, Ibl al-Seqi and wadi al-Slouqi.

At least four people were killed and ten were wounded in the strikes on the south, the National News Agency said.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has wondered whether Hezbollah's ministers "still represent the party in the government after the cabinet declared its military and security wings banned."

President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday said he is clinging to the initiative he has launched to end the Israeli war on Lebanon.

Hezbollah said Wednesday it had targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers near the southern border towns of Aitaroun, Odaisseh, Maroun al-Ras, Mays al-Jabal, Taybeh and Markaba, with artillery shells, rockets and attack drones.

The clashes had prevented Israeli troops from advancing into Lebanese territories, especially from the border town of khiam, one of the closest points to the Litani River, but troops were advancing Wednesday into the southern border towns of Halta and Kfarshouba, media reports said.

Israeli strikes and shelling targeted overnight into Wednesday several regions in south and east Lebanon, as Israel vowed "big surprises" and escalation.

In the south, strikes targeted Deir al-Zahrani, a hezbollah-affiliated health center in Kherbet Selem, Nabatieh, Tyre, Arab Salim, Kfartebnit, Shawkin-Zebdine, Harouf, Kafra, Burj al-Shamali, Bayt Yahoun, Burj Qalaway, Mayfadoun, Dweir, Shaqra, al-Jmayjmeh, al-Sultanieh, Shebaa, al-Litani, al-Kherdali, al-Abbasiyyah, Deir Qanoun, and Srifa, killing at least 6 and wounding at least 16.