Beirut, June 2 (Petra) -- Israeli warplanes carried out intensive airstrikes on towns and villages in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction, according to Lebanese security sources.

A Lebanese security source said Israeli fighter jets and drones conducted 83 strikes targeting 29 towns and villages. The source added that Israeli forces entered the uninhabited towns of Blat and Dibbine in the Marjayoun district on Tuesday evening after demolishing homes and facilities in the area.

In a statement, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said Israeli attacks on Lebanon between March 2 and June 2 had killed 3,468 people and injured 10,577 others.

On the political front, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam commented on the resumption of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in Washington, saying that the priority remains securing and maintaining a ceasefire throughout Lebanon.

"I reiterate that negotiations are the least costly option for Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and the shortest path to ending the occupation and enabling our people in the south to return to their towns and villages," Salam said.

//Petra// AF