Lebanon PM Demands Israeli Withdrawal at UN Amid Ongoing Shelling

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. He demanded an end to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. The prime minister called for full enforcement of the current ceasefire agreement despite ongoing violence.

Salam insisted that Israeli forces must completely withdraw from Lebanese territory. He specified that troops should retreat to the internationally recognised border. The leader also demanded the immediate release of all Lebanese detainees held by Israel during the conflict.

While delegates listened in New York, Israeli forces carried out large explosions near Taybeh and Deir Siryan. An air strike targeted a valley between Froun and Ghandourieh. This attack triggered a large fire that spread across the affected rural areas.

According to reports, Israeli warplanes still fly at low altitudes. Artillery shelling causes uncontrollable fires in many regions. Civil defence teams are prevented from reaching these areas to extinguish the flames effectively.

More than sixty towns remain under Israeli army occupation. Forces are conducting systematic demolitions of homes despite the signed framework agreement. Attacks have killed at least 4,386 people and wounded 12,407 others since March.

The prime minister pledged to oversee Hezbollah disarmament in exchange for withdrawal. He stated that weapons must remain exclusively in state hands. Salam linked regional stability to respecting Palestinian rights and their right to self determination.