Israeli Airstrike Kills Six in Lebanon, Escalating Tensions Ahead of US-Mediated Talks
Al Jazeera Staff
An Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon killed six people on Monday, marking a fresh violation of the US-brokered ceasefire. The attack came just days before Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to meet in Washington for talks aimed at stabilizing the truce. Since the ceasefire took effect in April, both sides have continued hostilities, with over 500 people killed in Lebanon.
Israeli forces launched an airstrike on a house in the town of Kfar Dounin, about 100 kilometers south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing six people, in the latest violation of a US-brokered ceasefire signed in April.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), the attack took place on Monday evening local time. Seven injured people were taken to hospitals in the coastal city of Tyre.
Since the ceasefire took effect on April 16, Israel has launched near-daily attacks on Lebanon, while Hezbollah has also responded with fire. The Israeli air force said it has targeted more than 1,100 sites in Lebanon since the truce began.
Lebanon's Health Ministry says more than 500 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, bringing the total death toll since Israel launched its invasion and bombing campaign against Lebanon on March 2 to over 2,800.
Israel shows no signs of slowing its military operations. On Tuesday, it issued a series of new evacuation orders and threatened fresh attacks. Israeli military Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee called on residents to leave the town of Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley, as well as the towns of Arzoun, Tayr Debba, Bazouriyeh, and al-Haush in southern Lebanon.
According to NNA, the Israeli military also blew up a water pumping station in the town of Deir Mimas on the Litani River and destroyed several houses in Bint Jbeil.
Al Jazeera's Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre in southern Lebanon, said there has been a "significant escalation" in attacks over the past week. However, many residents who had previously returned after evacuations say they do not want to leave again. "People are concerned that this situation will continue. But they will not leave the south," Hitto said.
Lebanese leaders have called on the US to pressure Israel to stop the attacks ahead of the third round of talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials scheduled to take place in Washington this week. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he asked US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa to "pressure Israel to stop the attacks and violations, in order to consolidate the ceasefire."
Al Jazeera's Rory Challands, reporting from Beirut, said the upcoming meeting would "essentially determine the next phase of the ceasefire, which really only exists in name." He said the talks are not expected to lead to a direct meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, something the US and Israel have pushed for. "This is not on the table for now," Challands said. "The Lebanese are firmly opposed at this stage of the conflict, at least until Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon."
