In a significant escalation of hostilities, Lebanon's Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets towards Tel Aviv on Sunday, responding to a powerful Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous day. The Israeli military confirmed that the strikes left several houses destroyed or set ablaze near Tel Aviv, with at least 29 people killed in Beirut.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching precision missiles at two military sites in and around Tel Aviv, marking a sharp increase in attacks over the past two weeks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that out of 250 rockets fired, many were intercepted, though multiple impact sites were still hit in the Petah Tikvah area on Tel Aviv's eastern side, causing minor injuries.
The recent Israeli offensive against Hezbollah, which began in September, has targeted areas in southern Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and surrounding regions. This offensive follows nearly a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza conflict, leading to over 1 million displaced people in Lebanon and a death toll surpassing 3,700 since October 2023.
Amidst the violence, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein highlighted progress in ceasefire negotiations during his visit to Beirut. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell echoed support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to accept the terms to restore peace based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
However, tensions remain high as Israeli strikes continue to target Hezbollah command centers in southern Beirut, with recent attacks causing fatalities among the Lebanese army. The EU has pledged 200 million euros to support the Lebanese army in maintaining stability in the region.
As ceasefire talks unfold, the international community remains watchful of the potential for further escalations and the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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Hezbollah rockets land near Tel Aviv after Israeli strike on Beirut
cgtn.com
