Fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah has continued after Israel and Lebanon held direct talks in Washington aimed at easing the conflict. On Wednesday, Israeli strikes hit two vehicles on the coastal highway south of Beirut, near the towns of Saadiyat and Jiyeh and outside Hezbollah's traditional strongholds.
Videos from the scene showed a burned-out van, with first responders working to extinguish the flames and recover human remains. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. In northern Israel, a man was wounded in the town of Tamra after Hezbollah launched about 30 rockets across the border, according to medics and the military. Hezbollah said it had launched rockets at 10 locations in northern Israel.
The Israeli military also said Israeli troops were continuing ground operations in southern Lebanon, striking more than 200 Hezbollah infrastructure sites, including rocket launchers, over the past 24 hours. Israel renewed calls for residents across a large part of southern Lebanon to evacuate amid ongoing air and artillery bombardment. Although Israel has avoided striking Beirut itself since a wave of attacks a week ago, which Lebanese authorities claim killed over 350 people in just 10 minutes, it has continued to target southern and eastern areas.
Israel plans to create a security buffer zone extending eight to ten kilometers into Lebanese territory to protect its communities from Hezbollah attacks. Clashes were reported in several Lebanese border towns, with heavy gunfire and explosions heard throughout the night. Despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran, Israel maintains that its military campaign in Lebanon is ongoing.
In a historical meeting in Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of the discussions, framing them as a pivotal moment after three decades of no formal contact between Israel and Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon expressed cautious optimism, hoping the negotiations might signal the end of Lebanese suffering. However, Hezbollah has rejected the talks, insisting on a comprehensive ceasefire and warning that divisions within Lebanon may widen due to the government’s decision to negotiate with Israel.
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon intensifies, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 2,124 people killed since the resumption of fighting on March 2, including many women and children, and more than a million people displaced from their homes.
Videos from the scene showed a burned-out van, with first responders working to extinguish the flames and recover human remains. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. In northern Israel, a man was wounded in the town of Tamra after Hezbollah launched about 30 rockets across the border, according to medics and the military. Hezbollah said it had launched rockets at 10 locations in northern Israel.
The Israeli military also said Israeli troops were continuing ground operations in southern Lebanon, striking more than 200 Hezbollah infrastructure sites, including rocket launchers, over the past 24 hours. Israel renewed calls for residents across a large part of southern Lebanon to evacuate amid ongoing air and artillery bombardment. Although Israel has avoided striking Beirut itself since a wave of attacks a week ago, which Lebanese authorities claim killed over 350 people in just 10 minutes, it has continued to target southern and eastern areas.
Israel plans to create a security buffer zone extending eight to ten kilometers into Lebanese territory to protect its communities from Hezbollah attacks. Clashes were reported in several Lebanese border towns, with heavy gunfire and explosions heard throughout the night. Despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran, Israel maintains that its military campaign in Lebanon is ongoing.
In a historical meeting in Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of the discussions, framing them as a pivotal moment after three decades of no formal contact between Israel and Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon expressed cautious optimism, hoping the negotiations might signal the end of Lebanese suffering. However, Hezbollah has rejected the talks, insisting on a comprehensive ceasefire and warning that divisions within Lebanon may widen due to the government’s decision to negotiate with Israel.
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon intensifies, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 2,124 people killed since the resumption of fighting on March 2, including many women and children, and more than a million people displaced from their homes.
