Israeli attacks indicate 'rejection' of the ceasefire – DW

Flames and smoke rise from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut — The strikes followed renewed talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in LebanonImage: Hussein Malla/AP/dpa/picture alliance

Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs early on Friday after issuing evacuation orders to residents.

The Israeli military said it was targeting facilities and assets of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. It published two maps showing the targets and called on residents to keep a distance of at least 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the buildings.

“The raids caused massive destruction in the targeted areas as dozens of buildings were razed to the ground, in addition to fires breaking out,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said. There were no details about casualties.

The attacks came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US officials to discuss a possible deal to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

‘Short opportunity’ to quell the conflict in the Middle East

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According to Israeli media reports citing government sources, the plan would see Israel withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah militants withdraw 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) from the border, north of the Litani River. The Lebanese army would then take control of the border, with support from UN peacekeepers.

Israel has regularly carried out airstrikes in southern Beirut, considered a Hezbollah stronghold, but Friday’s strikes were the first in several days in the Lebanese capital.

Israel has vowed to cripple Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist organization by the US, Germany and several Sunni Arab countries.

Hundreds of people have been killed and more than a million displaced by Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah have regularly exchanged cross-border fire since October last year.

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, after Palestinian militants launched a series of terror attacks on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 others hostage. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that killed more than 43,000 people, according to local health authorities.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU, the US and several other governments.

nm/kb (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)