Israel and Hezbollah clash along strategic Lebanese river following overnight strikes
(AP)
BEIRUT, May 26: Israel’s military clashed with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group Tuesday along a strategic river in Lebanon as Israeli troops tried to push farther north, just three days before Lebanese and Israeli military delegations are set to meet for direct talks in Washington.
A previously reached ceasefire appeared more nominal by the day, complicating efforts at a broader peace in the Iran war, as Tehran wants an end to the fighting to include Lebanon.
The Litani River has been a de facto boundary in Lebanon, with large areas to the south under Israeli military control despite the Washington-brokered ceasefire in place for over a month.
One Israeli strike kills 12, including several relatives
Tuesday’s intensified strikes and clashes came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had authorised more intensive strikes targeting Hezbollah across Lebanon.
Meanwhile, an Israeli security official said the military had called up an additional battalion to Lebanon, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Israel’s military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah sites across southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley area overnight, saying it targeted storage facilities, command centers and observation points used to attack Israeli troops and residents in northern Israel.
One strike hit the eastern village of Mashghara, killing 12 people including several members of a family, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said.
Israel in recent days has intensified strikes in Nabatieh city and province, just north of the river. On Tuesday it warned city residents to leave.
Hezbollah meanwhile said it launched several rocket, artillery and exploding drone attacks on Israeli troops and vehicles mobilising along the river toward the Nabatieh villages of Yohmor al-Shaqif and Zawtar al-Sharqieh.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the river banks.
Since the ceasefire, the Lebanese capital of Beirut has been spared from strikes, but Israel’s latest moves have caused fear.
Lebanon hopes for an agreement that sees Israeli withdrawal
The Lebanese government, which came to power on a platform of reform and disarming Hezbollah and other armed groups, hopes that the direct talks with Israel, opposed by Hezbollah, will lead to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Israel says it will not withdraw until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat to residents of its northern towns.
Hezbollah has vowed to continue fighting until Israel stops its daily airstrikes and withdraws its troops from Lebanon.
In recent weeks, Hezbollah has boasted that it is using new fibre-optic drones that Israeli troops have struggled to intercept, hitting both Israeli forces and northern Israeli villages.
Israel has told people there not to gather in large numbers.