Violence Escalates in Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Talks
(MENAFN) Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon have caused numerous casualties, coming less than a day after officials in West Jerusalem and Beirut reportedly reached a US-mediated ceasefire proposal.
According to reports, at least eight civilians were killed and 15 more injured on Thursday in a series of attacks targeting the towns of Sohmor, Masaken, and Arab Al-Jalil, as noted by local health authorities.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces stated that an anti-tank missile launched by Hezbollah resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon. Israel also attributed the death of a UN peacekeeper—wounded the previous night in a mortar attack—to Hezbollah actions.
As reported, the US State Department indicated on Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to implement a ceasefire, conditional upon “a complete cessation” of Hezbollah attacks and the withdrawal of its fighters from the South Litani Sector. The announcement added that both parties had also consented to establish “pilot zones” where the Lebanese Armed Forces would ultimately assume full control, “to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”
Hezbollah, however, was not involved in the Washington-mediated talks and has insisted that any arrangement requiring its withdrawal while Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon would “reward occupation rather than end the conflict.”
According to reports, at least eight civilians were killed and 15 more injured on Thursday in a series of attacks targeting the towns of Sohmor, Masaken, and Arab Al-Jalil, as noted by local health authorities.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces stated that an anti-tank missile launched by Hezbollah resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon. Israel also attributed the death of a UN peacekeeper—wounded the previous night in a mortar attack—to Hezbollah actions.
As reported, the US State Department indicated on Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to implement a ceasefire, conditional upon “a complete cessation” of Hezbollah attacks and the withdrawal of its fighters from the South Litani Sector. The announcement added that both parties had also consented to establish “pilot zones” where the Lebanese Armed Forces would ultimately assume full control, “to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”
Hezbollah, however, was not involved in the Washington-mediated talks and has insisted that any arrangement requiring its withdrawal while Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon would “reward occupation rather than end the conflict.”
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