The Israeli military launched an airstrike on a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, further straining the fragile ceasefire just before crucial negotiations in Washington. The strike targeted an apartment building in Choueifat, near Beirut’s international airport, though the specific target remains unclear.

Escalating Tensions

Tensions have been rising in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have crossed the Litani River, a strategic boundary. Despite a ceasefire brokered in April, large areas remain under Israeli control. This marks the first attack near Beirut since an Israeli strike on May 6 killed a Hezbollah military official.

Overnight, Israeli forces targeted Tyre, Lebanon’s fourth-largest city, resulting in at least 14 deaths, including women, children, and a Lebanese soldier. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported dozens more wounded. In response, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks as “collective punishment” and called for an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

International Reactions

The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for Tyre and its suburbs. Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi expressed deep concern over the ongoing attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of military operations in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah’s use of explosive drones as a catalyst.

Hezbollah has dismissed the upcoming talks in Washington, arguing that Lebanon lacks the leverage to halt the conflict. The group has called for support from Iran, which has linked ending the war in Lebanon to its own negotiations with Washington.

Meanwhile, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer stated that the military operations aim to disarm Hezbollah and achieve a peace agreement to enhance regional security and stability.

Impact on Civilians

In Sidon, an Israeli drone strike on an apartment building killed five people and injured 21 others, including children. Another strike in Adloun killed six people fleeing in a car. Near Nabatiyeh, a Lebanese soldier was killed in a drone attack.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for several drone and rocket attacks targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. The ongoing conflict has displaced over a million people in Lebanon, with thousands killed and wounded since the war began.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.