One of France's longest-held inmates, the pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, arrived in Beirut on Friday, having been released from prison after more than 40 years behind bars for the alleged killings of two diplomats.

A wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted the Iqlim al-Tuffah heights and the area between Ansar and al-Zrariyeh in south Lebanon on Thursday evening, with the Israeli army claiming that the strikes hit "Hezbollah military sites, including arms depots and a rocket launchpad."

The violent strikes, which have become frequent in recent months, came a day after U.S. envoy Tom Barrack departed Lebanon after a three-day visit in which he discussed the thorny issue of Hezbollah's disarmament amid Israel's continued occupation of five hills in south Lebanon and its daily assassinations against suspected Hezbollah operatives.

President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that Lebanon is “at a pivotal crossroads, which might be fateful,” adding that “our unity, cooperation and solidarity are essential in order for us to confront all challenges.”

Israeli troops made an 800-meter incursion into Houla at dawn Thursday and blew up a livestock room facing the al-Abbad Israeli military post, the National News Agency said.

The European Union on Wednesday announced a new €12.5 million project to support the Lebanese Army in "leading recovery efforts, enhancing security and helping communities in Southern Lebanon rebuild."

The project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed his optimism in the wake of his meeting with visiting U.S. envoy Tom Barrack.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, who rarely leaves his Maarab headquarters, on Wednesday held a meeting in Clemenceau with Druze leader Walid Jumblat.

Parliament on Wednesday lifted the parliamentary immunity of MP George Boujikian so that the judiciary can prosecute him over alleged corruption charges dating back to his tenure as industry minister in the previous government.

A 20-strong Israeli infantry force made an incursion at dawn into the Rayhanat Berri area in the al-Mari plain in south Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency said.

President Joseph Aoun has said that the Lebanese state’s decision to monopolize arms in its hands is “irreversible,” but noted that “it will be implemented patiently, in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s unity and prevents harm to civil peace.”