By Wassim Saifaldin
LEBANON (AA) - Israeli artillery continued to shell border towns in southern Lebanon on Sunday, coinciding with the increased presence of reconnaissance drones in the area.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that the outskirts of the southern Lebanese towns of Shiheen and Umm Al-Tout are being targeted by shelling from Israeli military positions across the border in occupied Palestine.
The agency also reported that Israeli reconnaissance drones have been flying in the area since the early hours of the morning. The region, until late last night, was targeted by Israeli warplanes and drones as well as artillery shelling on the outskirts of the border from the city of Naqoura to the vicinity of the town of Ayta Al-Shaab.
“Saturday was the most intense day since the outbreak of the war, which has become unrestricted by any rules, as the enemy ‘Israel’ targeted civilian targets more than 40 kilometers away from the border," NNA reported.
“The Israeli enemy targets vehicles and moving cars on the roads along the Blue Line,” it said, referring to the demarcation line established by the UN between Lebanon and Israel.
“The enemy's illuminating bombs filled the skies of the western and central sectors throughout the night, and incendiary bombs were thrown into the forests adjacent to the Blue Line.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Lebanese Hezbollah group said one of its members was killed in clashes with the Israeli army, raising its death toll to 72 since Oct. 8.
On Saturday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a televised speech declared that the group’s military operations against Israel are continuing despite all precautionary measures taken by Tel Aviv.
On the same day, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a warning to the residents of Beirut, saying they would “face the fate of Gaza residents” if a war with Hezbollah broke out, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala in Istanbul