On Thursday evening, Israeli airstrikes struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This comes as the United States cautioned against Israel becoming embroiled in a prolonged military campaign in Lebanon and as diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza intensify.
According to Lebanese state media, the strikes occurred shortly after Israel issued evacuation warnings for areas controlled by Hezbollah, following heavy bombardment the night prior. The situation escalated after a month of military action by Israel against the Iranian-backed group, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing that Iran should understand the risks of further attacks on Israel.
Israel's military campaign aims to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of residents displaced from northern Israel due to ongoing tensions with Hezbollah. Blinken stated, “As Israel conducts operations to remove the threat to Israel and its people along the border with Lebanon, we have been very clear that this cannot lead, should not lead, to a protracted campaign.” He highlighted that the U.S. is pursuing a diplomatic agreement to ensure that civilians on both sides of the border can safely return to their homes.
Later, Israel's military chief expressed optimism that a resolution with Hezbollah could be within reach, stating, “In the north [of Israel], there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion. We thoroughly dismantled Hezbollah’s senior chain of command.”
Blinken is scheduled to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London, alongside foreign ministers from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, to discuss post-war plans for Gaza. Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli negotiators are set to meet in Doha to prepare for renewed talks regarding a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli intelligence head David Barnea will also travel to Doha to engage in discussions aimed at restarting negotiations. However, a senior Hamas official stated that the return of hostages is contingent upon halting military actions and a complete withdrawal from Gaza.
Previous attempts to broker a ceasefire and secure a hostage release have been unsuccessful. Blinken's visit follows the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which U.S. officials hope will spur efforts to end the ongoing conflict.
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