Israel Strikes Lebanon Amid Truce
JUST IN: Israel has conducted strikes in southern Lebanon despite a partial truce with Hezbollah. Officials said the strikes targeted terrorist targets in the region.
- At least 3,468 people killed in conflict
- Partial truce announced but attacks continue
- Israel strikes southern Lebanon despite truce
- Hezbollah demands Israeli troop withdrawal
- Diplomatic efforts ongoing for broader ceasefire
JUST IN: Israel has conducted strikes in southern Lebanon despite a partial truce with Hezbollah. Officials said the strikes targeted terrorist targets in the region.
The Israeli prime minister then put out a statement saying he had told Trump that 'if Hezbollah does not stop firing at our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut'.
Hezbollah Demands Israeli Troop Withdrawal
DEVELOPING: A Hezbollah spokesman told the Newshour programme that potential Israeli strikes on southern Beirut's Dahieh area had been blocked by Iranian pressure. Mahmoud Qamati, a member of Hezbollah's Political Council and a former minister, said: 'There was no ceasefire agreement, just the protection of our people.'
Hezbollah has not fully endorsed the truce, demanding Israeli troop withdrawal.
The group's military wing said its fighters had targeted Israeli tanks and troops in the southern Lebanese towns of Haddatha, Bayada and Zawtar al-Sharqiya with drones, missiles and shells.
Diplomatic Efforts Ongoing
CONFIRMED: Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to seek a broader ceasefire. A Hezbollah lawmaker said the group would support a full ceasefire, but only if Israel withdraws its troops.
Lebanon said it would push to expand the agreement during talks in Washington on Wednesday.
The US has been trying to revive broader efforts to end the three-month war, which remains closely tied to tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Experts said that establishing 'pilot zones' - specific geographic areas where hostilities would stop, Israeli troops would withdraw and Lebanese soldiers would deploy - could be a step towards a full ceasefire.
Context of the Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader.
Israel responded with an air campaign across Lebanon and a ground invasion in the south, which has been escalating in recent weeks.
The war has displaced over a million people, with many beginning to return to their homes after the partial truce was announced.
Witnesses said that drivers heading back to their villages along coastal highways cheered each other, flashed victory signs and exchanged blessings.
Human Impact of the Conflict
The conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians in Lebanon.
Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, with many struggling to access basic necessities like food and water.
Officials said that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is dire, with many people in need of urgent assistance.
The international community has been called upon to provide aid to those affected by the conflict.
Experts said that a full ceasefire is necessary to prevent further suffering and to allow for the rebuilding of affected areas.
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