Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday held a central meeting dedicated to discussing the launch of recovery projects in the so-called pilot zones in south Lebanon, as part of the first phase of a return and recovery plan.

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat once again criticized the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which he argued does not mandate a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Speaking to a Turkish newspaper, Jumblat called the framework deal "a huge trap" as it talks about "redeployment" instead of a full withdrawal.

Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern towns of Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa and al-Mansouri on Thursday, following a night of heavy demolitions in Israeli-occupied villages.

Israeli forces detonated homes in al-Mansouri, Majdalzoun, and Bouyout al-Siyyed, and directed heavy machine-gun fire toward Wadi al-Hujeir and Wadi Slouqi.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron during which they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as the developments resulting from “Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon and its systematic destruction of dozens of occupied southern Lebanese villages and towns,” Berri’s office said.

“During the call, President Macron affirmed France's continued support for Lebanon and its commitment to prioritizing Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, offering support on all levels, particularly for the army and reconstruction efforts. He also expressed the readiness of France and other friendly nations to assist Lebanon in overcoming this critical phase,” the statement said.

President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that Turkey is well-positioned to advocate for the framework agreement internationally and urge all parties to abide by its terms, as he visited the country to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other officials.

Aoun said he thinks Turkey can support Lebanon "given its NATO membership and strong regional ties".

Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday hailed the Lebanese Army and said that it should not be “put to tests” in connection with the so-called pilot zones scheme in south Lebanon.

Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal on Thursday stressed that the army remains committed to fulfilling all its missions despite “the significant challenges posed by limited resources, the magnitude of the tasks, and the delicate circumstances.”

Lamenting that Israel is continuing its attacks and violations to “obstruct the army's efforts,” Haykal noted that the military “continues its deployment in the south in accordance with existing agreements and national principles, and its efforts to ensure the safe and secure return of our people to their villages and towns persist.”

President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday stressed that wars lead to no positive outcome and only bring “destruction to countries and poverty to their people.”

The Israeli army is considering a military response to the damage inflicted on an engineering vehicle by a “Hezbollah drone” in the Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon, Israel’s Channel 14 said on Wednesday.

“Beirut's southern suburbs will not be a target in the response,” the channel added.

Israeli troops continue to detonate, demolish and burn southern villages they still occupy. On Wednesday, forces were bulldozing roads and buildings in Kfarshouba, burning homes in al-Qantara and detonating others in Tallousa, while artillery shelled Ali al-Taher, a strategic hill on the Israeli-declared Yellow Line.

The National News Agency said military vehicles made an incursion into the outskirts of Aita al-Jabal and reported overnight shelling and violent detonations in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, Kfartebnit, al-Mansouri and Majdalzoun, causing earth tremors felt in nearby villages.