Israel Kills 22 in Lebanon in Strikes Ahead of US‑Brokered Talks
Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least 22 people, including eight children, as tensions rose ahead of a new round of US‑brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington. The strikes hit around 40 locations in southern and eastern Lebanon, including villages south of Beirut and areas along the coastal highway, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting 10 deaths in the south and four more in the Tyre district and Sidon. Since US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on April 16, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally. Israel says it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, weapons storage, and rocket launchers, while Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops and warns of intensified fighting. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon has expressed growing concern over drone use and clashes near its positions, and Lebanese authorities say more than 2,800 people, including over 200 children, have been killed since Hezbollah entered the wider Middle East conflict in early March.
Key Events
- Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon kill at least 22 people, including eight children, ahead of US‑brokered talks in Washington.
- Lebanese health ministry reports 10 deaths in southern villages and four more in the Tyre district and Sidon from strikes on cars and nearby areas.
- Israel says it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, weapons storage, and rocket launchers in southern Lebanon.
- Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops and warns of intensified fighting, saying it will turn the battlefield into 'hell' for Israel.
- UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon reports increased drone use and explosions near its positions, raising concerns for peacekeepers' safety.
- Since a US‑announced ceasefire on April 16, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally based on health ministry figures.
- Lebanese authorities say more than 2,800 people, including over 200 children, have been killed since Hezbollah entered the wider Middle East conflict in early March.