Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut during U.S.-backed ceasefire talks to end conflict with Hezbollah. Civilians brace for further escalation.
Israeli
warplanes struck Beirut as leaders debated a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal to
end over a year of conflict with Hezbollah.
Beirut,
Lebanon — On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on central Beirut
and its southern suburbs, raising plumes of smoke over the capital. The attacks
came as Israel's security Cabinet prepared to vote on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire
aimed at ending over 13 months of hostilities with Hezbollah.
The
Israeli military also issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in the
southern suburbs, indicating the possibility of further strikes. Meanwhile,
Israeli ground forces reached the Litani River in southern Lebanon, a focal
point of the emerging ceasefire deal.
The
proposed agreement, backed by the U.S. and France, would enforce a two-month
halt to hostilities. It mandates Hezbollah to withdraw its forces north of the
Litani River and requires Israeli troops to return to their side of the border.
Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would then deploy to the area under
international monitoring.
Despite
progress, implementation remains uncertain. Israeli officials insist on
retaining the right to respond if Hezbollah violates the agreement, a point of
contention with Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would
act decisively if U.N. forces failed to enforce the ceasefire.
Airstrikes
continued throughout Tuesday, including one in Beirut's Basta district and
others near the airport in southern suburbs. The Israeli military claimed to
target Hezbollah assets and warned of additional strikes in Naqoura, where U.N.
forces are headquartered.
While
both Hezbollah and Israeli officials have shown tentative support for the deal,
challenges remain. Past ceasefire attempts have faltered, and the situation
could escalate further.
The
ongoing conflict has resulted in over 3,760 deaths in Lebanon, displacing 1.2
million people, according to Lebanese health officials. Hezbollah's attacks
have forced 50,000 Israelis to evacuate, with 75 Israeli deaths reported.
Global
diplomats urge swift action. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief,
stated, "There is no excuse for delaying the ceasefire. Lebanon’s
stability is at stake."
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