Israel’s military says it has launched ‘limited’ ground operations in southern Lebanon
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Israel’s army said on Monday its forces had begun “limited operations” against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon in recent days to bolster defenses as the death toll from Israeli airstrikes rose.
A huge explosion was heard in Beirut as Israel launched a pre-dawn attack on the Lebanese capital, saying it was a terrorist attack linked to the Iran-linked Hezbollah group.
The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for many areas in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
More than 800,000 people have been forced from their homes by Israel’s campaign in Lebanon since March 2, when Lebanon entered a regional war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
At least 850 people have been killed by Israeli strikes so far, including 107 children and 66 women, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.
At least 12 medical workers were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday in a medical center in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 27 Israeli airstrikes against the health care system in Lebanon and says more than 30 medical workers have been killed and 35 injured since the start of the war. Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO representative in Lebanon, says medical workers must be protected as Israel’s war in Lebanon continues to escalate.
The ministry said 12 medical workers were killed in one of the latest Israeli airstrikes, which took place on Friday at a medical center in southern Lebanon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 27 Israeli airstrikes against the health care system in Lebanon and says more than 30 medical workers have been killed and 35 injured since the start of the war.
Expected speeches
Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days aimed at ending a ceasefire that would disarm Hezbollah, two Israeli officials said on Sunday, although the timing and terms are yet to be agreed.
Beirut is forming a negotiating team but no date has been set. Lebanon needs clarification on whether Israel will comply with President Joseph Aoun’s first point – a request for a total freeze to allow talks, three Lebanese officials said on Saturday.
Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a request for comment. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Saar, on Sunday denied that there were any discussions with Lebanon.
Iran-backed Hezbollah opened fire on Israel on March 2, saying it was retaliating for the assassination of a top Iranian leader at the start of the US-Israel war against Iran.
Aoun expressed the kingdom’s determination for direct talks with Israel, seeking to end the war.
The Lebanese government’s readiness to negotiate with Israel comes at a time of heightened tensions in Lebanon over Hezbollah’s status as an armed group. The government in Beirut this month banned Hezbollah’s military activities. The group rejected this move and continued fighting, firing hundreds of rockets into Israel.
An Israeli official told Reuters on Friday that the campaign against Hezbollah is likely to intensify and continue even after the strikes on Iran end.
