A U.S. military delegation will arrive in Beirut in the coming days to coordinate the ground implementation of a framework agreement that calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.

U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa said Friday that preparations were underway to implement the Israeli withdrawal from the pilot zones, as he met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri, ahead of a new round of talks between Lebanon and Israel this month in Rome.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said, in a statement on Thursday, that the Israeli military's operations in Lebanon were a response to attacks by Hezbollah.

"The terrorist organization Hezbollah has attacked Israel twice on its own initiative," Katz said.

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said Wednesday that "there is no solution other than an Israeli withdrawal in return for the Lebanese Army's deployment south of the Litani."

The United States launched new strikes against Iran on Wednesday in a bid to curb Tehran's ability to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believes that Israel will eventually withdraw from south Lebanon.

Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel lashed out at Hezbollah Wednesday, accusing the group of dragging Lebanon into occupation.

"The very least you should do is shut up," he said.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil has lamented that Israel has “deliberately” targeted “civilians who have no connection to the war – doctors, engineers, paramedics, students, and this time a school principal and her family."

Israeli artillery shelled overnight into Wednesday the strategic hill of Ali al-Taher where Israel claims Hezbollah fighters are hiding in tunnels.

Israeli warplanes also struck overnight a region between Beit Yahoun, Kounine and Baraashit.

President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday the majority of Lebanese people, including Shiites, back the state's move to negotiate with Israel. "I chose negotiations because I could not stand by and watch my country being led into the abyss to serve the interests of another nation," he said, adding that this step could stop the Israeli destruction and bring an end to the occupation.

"This step enjoys the support of the majority of Lebanese people, including members of the Shiite community, who have paid the heaviest price for the wars in the South," Aoun said.

President Joseph Aoun has followed the developments regarding the Iranian attacks that targeted Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday, saying the strikes are “a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, and a flagrant breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” the Presidency said.