The Maronite church’s official spokesman, Walid Ghayyad, has noted that “communication between Bkerki and Hezbollah is continuous,” following the latest uproar over recent remarks by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

“Had the patriarch considered Hezbollah terrorist, he would have ceased communication with it because he does not talk to terrorists,” Ghayyad told al-Jadeed television.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has said that “we are all threatened today because of Israel.”

“We are all asking the same question: whether there will be a war or not,” Bassil added during a tour of the Akkar district, stressing that the FPM is “against any policy that brings war.”

Israeli warplanes raided overnight into Monday the southern border towns of Rab Tlatine, Kfarkila, and Blida and struck al-Bayyada, deeper in the Tyre district.

The Israeli army later shelled Kfarkila with white phosphorus bombs, causing fires.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel is “not looking for war” with Hezbollah and that a diplomatic solution is preferable, as the far-right Otzma Yehudit party indicated it would bolt the government if Israel shied away from launching a full-scale assault on the Iran-backed Lebanese group.

Nevertheless, Gallant reiterated that Israel is making preparations and planning for a wider conflict, and said the ball is in Hezbollah’s court.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday paid an inspection visit to war-hit south Lebanon.

Mikati started his tour at an army barracks in Tyre before inspecting official school exam centers and holding a meeting with health officials.

Hezbollah targeted Friday surveillance equipment in Birkat Risha in north Israel, a day after it announced four of its fighters had been killed.

Israeli artillery meanwhile shelled the outskirts of the southern coastal town of al-Naqoura, and warplanes raided a home in Shihin in the Tyre district.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil will visit Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday, a local newspaper and an FPM MP said.

Pro-Hezbollah daily al-Akhbar reported Friday that Bassil will present to Berri a suggestion for the presidential consultations and dialogue.

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has met with Jamaa Islamiya chief Sheikh Mohammad Takkoush, Hezbollah said.

The meeting “tackled the latest political and security developments in Lebanon and Palestine,” a Hezbollah statement said.

Marking the 248th Anniversary of the United States’ Independence Day, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut held a reception attended by MP Fadi Alameh, representing Speaker Nabih Berri, and caretaker Interior Minister Bassam al-Mawlawi, representing caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.   

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson noted in her remarks: “The United States has supported Lebanon and the Lebanese people since Lebanon’s birth as a nation.  Our relationship is built on a common desire for a prosperous, free, and democratic world.  The strength of our partnership is reflected in the numerous bonds connecting our two countries. We are bonded in strength.”  

The Russian embassy in Beirut has recommended that its citizens avoid traveling to Lebanon “until the situations calm down in the south of the country,” media reports said.

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov meanwhile told al-Jadeed television that the embassy “has not issued a new statement calling on citizens to leave Lebanon.”