Israeli artillery shelling targeted Friday the outskirts of the southern border town of Ramia, as reconnaissance drones overflew south Lebanon at a low altitude, violating Lebanese air space.

Hezbollah later attacked many Israeli posts including al-Assi, al-Manara, al-Bayyad, al-Mutella, al-Jerdah, Berket Risha, and the Dhaira post. The Israeli army shelled in response Mays al-Jabal's outskirts and the town's hospital, Blida, Mhaibib, and Marwahin. It also shelled al-Labbouneh, and the outskirts of several Lebanese border towns.

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has noted that he has met with most Arab ambassadors in Lebanon and that none of them has informed him of any negative stance regarding his presidential nomination.

“To those who consider that my presidential chances have ended I tell them no, and to those saying that my presidential chances are 100% I also tell them no. My chances are rather 50/50 and Saudi Arabia has not placed any veto on my nomination,” Franjieh said in an interview on LBCI television.

The Israeli army on Friday bombed the outpatient and maternity building of Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital, causing deaths and injuries.

Israel has agreed pauses in its offensive in northern Gaza that will allow some civilians to flee heavy fighting, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out any broader ceasefire as a "surrender" to Hamas.

Former General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim has confirmed a role in the negotiations with Hamas over a prisoner swap with Israel.

"Few hours separate us from the humanitarian truce in Gaza," Ibrahim said in a televised interview on Wednesday night.

The area around Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut witnessed a popular protest that forced the cancellation of a visit by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

Protesters in Lebanon have accused Washington of supporting the killing of civilians in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli army.

Hezbollah on Thursday fired anti-tank missiles at the Margaliot and Ramim Israeli military posts near Lebanon's border, as the Israeli army shelled southern border areas.

An Israeli army spokesman meanwhile said that an Israeli drone came under fire over the occupied Shebaa Farms.

A senior Israeli official has told CBS News and other reporters that Israel is ready for a pause in the fighting in Gaza if it concretely assesses Hamas is serious about releasing hostages.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated U.S. support for humanitarian pauses in Israel's military operations in Gaza to address "urgent needs" on the ground.

Security forces in Brazil, in collaboration with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and its partners within the Israeli security community, as well as other international security and law enforcement agencies, have successfully foiled a planned attack by Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday.

Israel and Hamas are on the verge of reaching a three-day ceasefire agreement, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday.

Egyptian sources meanwhile said that Cairo is about to achieve a humanitarian truce in Gaza involving the exchange of hostages and captives.

Israeli artillery shelling targeted Wednesday Ramia, Beit Leef, and the outskirts of the border towns of al-Labbouneh, al-Naqoura, Rmeish, Aita al-Shaab, Halta and al-Mari, after three rockets landed in Zarit and Shtula, in the Israeli upper western Galilee. Israel also shelled the outskirts of Mays al-Jabal, Blida, Houla, Mhaibib and Yaroun after the Israeli posts of al-Assi, al-Bayyad, Brket Risha, Yiftah, al-Jerdah and Dovev were targeted from Lebanon.

The football pitch in the border town of Houla was also targeted with three missiles, as Israel fired shells that didn't explode at a house and a car.