Israel strikes Lebanon as Hezbollah calls talks ‘dead end’

Israeli airstrikes hit parts of eastern and southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to state media, despite an already fragile ceasefire agreement and ongoing US-brokered diplomatic efforts between both sides.

 

The National News Agency (NNA) reported that two strikes targeted the town of Sohmor in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, while additional strikes were carried out across several areas in the south.

 

The Israeli military later issued evacuation warnings for four villages near the southern coastal city of Sidon, far beyond the usual border flashpoints. The NNA said airstrikes subsequently hit three of the warned villages.

 

Israel has continued to conduct near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire, often issuing evacuation alerts ahead of operations. The military says its actions are aimed at countering Hezbollah threats, including drone attacks.

 

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “holding territory, clearing territory, protecting Israel’s communities, but also fighting an enemy that is trying to outsmart us,” adding that the military is working to neutralise FPV drones increasingly used by Hezbollah.

 

The latest escalation comes after Israeli and Lebanese envoys held a third round of talks in Washington, where both sides reportedly agreed to extend ceasefire arrangements. However, Hezbollah has rejected the negotiations, describing them as politically futile.

 

Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Hajj Hassan said the talks had reached “a dead-end path” that would only force Lebanon into further concessions. He also insisted that efforts to disarm the group would fail, warning that such moves would create “very big predicaments” for the country.

 

In a separate statement, Hezbollah described proposals for a US-facilitated security track as “free concessions” to Israel and accused Lebanese authorities of making unnecessary compromises.

 

The group also claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli military positions in northern Israel and reported continued operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

 

Since the latest war began, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,900 people, including over 400 since the ceasefire took effect on April 17, according to Lebanese authorities.