Beirut, June 24 (Petra) -- A child was killed Wednesday in an Israeli drone strike targeting a minibus in the southern Lebanese town of Barashit, while the remaining passengers escaped unharmed, according to a Lebanese security source.

The source told the Jordan News Agency's correspondent in Beirut that occupants of two civilian vehicles also survived Israeli machine gun fire in the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa near Lebanese army barracks.

The source added that Israeli drones have been conducting intensive flights since the morning over the southern Lebanese cities of Sidon and Tyre.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said efforts are continuing to reinforce the ceasefire in southern Lebanon as a first step toward securing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, deploying the Lebanese army, facilitating the return of residents, releasing detainees and launching reconstruction efforts.

In a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun said discussions are ongoing regarding the selection of pilot areas, pending Israeli approval.

He also said Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations taking place in Washington continue to address a range of issues, including security arrangements aimed at restoring stability in southern Lebanon and extending state authority to the internationally recognized southern border.

Aoun noted that the negotiations in Washington are separate from the outcomes of meetings held last week in Switzerland involving the United States and Iran, with facilitation by Qatar and Pakistan.

//Petra// AJ