Israel intensifies southern Lebanon strikes as Washington ceasefire talks loom
Two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential project in Srifa, as the Israeli army targeted alleged Hezbollah infrastructure and ordered evacuations in several towns and villages.
Israel has significantly escalated aerial bombardments in southern Lebanon, killing two people and issuing forced displacement orders for several communities, as both nations prepare for United States-brokered talks in Washington, DC. The strikes come just days before the current ceasefire is scheduled to expire on Sunday, with diplomatic negotiations set to commence on Thursday.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck the Ezzedine residential project in the town of Srifa, resulting in two fatalities. In a separate incident, an Israeli drone raid near a vocational school between the towns of Breqa and Zrarieh injured one person. Additionally, an air strike was reported in the town of Ain al-Tineh in the Western Bekaa region.
The Israeli army stated it was targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure sites across several areas in southern Lebanon. In conjunction with the strikes, the army issued forced evacuation notices for the towns and villages of Libbaya, Sahmar, Taffahata, Kafr Malek, Yohmor in the Bekaa, Ain Tineh, Houmin al-Fawqa, and Mazraat Sina.
Al Jazeera correspondent Rory Challands, reporting from Beirut, described the recent days as one of the most intense periods of aerial bombardment in weeks. He noted frequent drone strikes targeting vehicles and motorbikes, particularly along the main coastal highway leading south from Beirut.
The escalation coincides with a rising death toll. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 2,896 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the conflict resumed in early March. Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that a drone launched by Hezbollah had fallen in Israeli territory near the shared border, injuring several people who were hospitalised.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to extend the truce, with representatives from both sides expected to meet in Washington on Thursday. However, the talks face significant political friction. Hezbollah is not participating in the negotiations, viewing direct discussions with Israel as capitulation. The group demands a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced people, and the start of reconstruction before engaging in talks.
In contrast, the Lebanese government maintains that these issues can be addressed during the discussions with Israel. Despite the divergent positions, the immediate focus remains on the impending expiry of the ceasefire and the ongoing military operations on the ground.
