Hezbollah targeted Monday Israeli troops and bases in northern Israel and in southern Lebanon with attack drones, rockets and advanced missiles.

The group said in separate statements that it targeted troops near Alma al Shaab, al-Taybeh, Markaba, Dhayra, and Maroun al-Ras with attack drones, rockets and advanced missiles. It also targeted several times al-Manara, Metula and the Zari'it barracks in north Israel, and troops inside Lebanon near al-Naqoura's municipality.

President Joseph Aoun met Monday with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The talks stressed the importance of "national unity and solidarity", as Berri said he is "reassured by the presence of the president."

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has approved plans for the "next phase" of the war against Hezbollah, saying the battle against the Lebanese Iran-backed group "has only just begun."

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said Saturday that "the Northern Command has approved plans to continue the fighting" against Hezbollah.

"There will be no more containment, only initiative and attack," Zamir said.

After visiting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa affirmed that "the United States is concerned with peace prevailing in Lebanon and for it to be independent and free from war."

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a CNN interview to help end the Israeli war on Lebanon, reaffirming the country's readiness to "enter into immediate negotiations with Israel."

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Hezbollah on Thursday of trying to drag its opponents, including the LF, into a civil war. "Noone will clash with them except the army and the security forces," he told MTV in an interview.

Geagea said Hezbollah's battle is "domestic" and removing Israel is a fake slogan the group uses. He said Hezbollah's priorities are tied exclusively to Iran, even if they might occasionally align with Lebanon's interests, and called for the arrest of Mahmoud Qmati after his recent statements against the satte and for ending Hezbollah's participation in the government after "its coup against the government's decisions".

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil said Hezbollah "must realize that its military situation is has ended," but added that it would be "a mistake for anyone to think they can eliminate Hezbollah's political wing."

Hezbollah said on Thursday its fighters were battling Israeli forces in south Lebanon, as a military source on the ground said Israeli troops were slowly advancing while "systematically destroying" border towns.

Hezbollah said it targeted overnight into Thursday Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Yuval, Misgav Am, Dishon, Manara, Naharaya, Haifa and Kfar Giladi in north Israel and Israeli soldiers and Merkava tanks near the southern border towns of Houla, Taybeh, Aitaroun, Odaisseh, Rob Tlatine, Alma al-Shaab and Markaba with rockets, artillery shells and attack drones.

Israeli strikes targeted overnight into Thursday Mayfadoun, al-Naqoura, al-Qantara, Tyre, al-Hosh, Insariyeh, al-Bazourieh, al-Rihan, Tayr Debba, Debaal, the border town of al-Khiam and a bridge in Qasmiyeh in south Lebanon. Artillery shelled Arnoun, al-Ghandourieh, Maroun al-Rass, Bint Jbeil, Ibl al-Seqi and wadi al-Slouqi.

At least four people were killed and ten were wounded in the strikes on the south, the National News Agency said.