Airstrikes break two-month ceasefire
Israel launched airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, June 7, in the most serious escalation of its war with Hezbollah since a ceasefire was reached in mid-April. The strikes hit two apartments in two separate buildings in the Dahiyeh area, a Hezbollah stronghold. Local officials reported at least two people killed and 11 wounded.
Israel said the strikes targeted terrorist headquarters in response to Hezbollah rocket fire at northern Israel earlier that day. Israeli officials said they intercepted the rockets. Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for that attack.
Peace talks face new hurdles
The airstrikes come days after Hezbollah rejected a ceasefire proposal that the Lebanese government and Israel had already agreed to in Washington. Hezbollah said it will not accept any deal that does not include a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and an end to Israeli strikes across the entire country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the strikes were necessary because of continued threats from Hezbollah. The United States had asked Israel not to strike Beirut, but Israel went ahead with the operation.
Conflict toll continues to rise
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. More than 3,613 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since fighting escalated. On the Israeli side, 30 soldiers have been killed in Lebanon and three civilians died from Hezbollah rocket attacks. Israel also ordered evacuations of most of Tyre, one of the largest cities in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese army officers have also been caught in the crossfire. Two soldiers and a captain were killed by an Israeli strike on their vehicle on Saturday. The Lebanese army is not a party to the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
President Donald Trump said on NBC News that he is very close to a deal with Iran but will not demand that Lebanon be included in any US-Iran peace agreement.