According to press reports, the Israeli army is taking advantage of the ceasefire to try to gain access to places it did not reach during the ground invasion, while reconnaissance planes are flying over Beirut and its southern suburb, Tyre, and the surrounding area.

The Al-Akhbar daily reported that an Israeli patrol, backed by Merkava tanks and a bulldozer, had advanced to the outskirts of Beit Leif.

According to the newspaper, the soldiers searched some houses and wooded areas, and fired machine guns into the inner neighbourhoods of the town.

The newspaper reported that Pastor Hassan Mustafa fled Beit Leif after the Israeli enemy fired around his house to force him to leave.

An Israeli drone struck the outskirts of a farmhouse between Beit Leif and Yater in the south with two missiles, the National News Agency reported.

The Al Manar channel added that an Israeli force equipped with two bulldozers moved towards Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon.

Israeli bulldozers completed the demolition of several houses on the outskirts of the town of Naqoura in an attempt to delay the planned deployment of the Lebanese army.

In continuing rescue efforts, the Civil Defence reported the recovery of the bodies of three dead from the al-Khalahiyah neighbourhood in the southern city of Khiam.

Yesterday, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem called on the Lebanese State to prove its worth and reaffirmed the strength and continuity of the Resistance.

Speaking to the pan-Arab Al Mayadeen channel, MP Ehab Hamadah said that it is the resistance that protects Lebanon and prevents the Israeli enemy from violating national sovereignty.

mh/mem/yma