Israeli Strike Kills Lebanese Security Personnel as Fighting Escalates Ahead of Talks
Beirut— An Israeli airstrike killed at least 13 members of Lebanon’s State Security forces in southern Lebanon on Friday, as cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensified ahead of planned direct talks next week, officials said.
The strike targeted a government building in the southern city of Nabatieh, part of a broader Israeli aerial campaign across multiple areasvin southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said it carried out 31 attacks in response, including strikes on northern Israel and Israeli ground forces operating inside Lebanese territory.
The group also claimed responsibility for an attack on a naval base in the Israeli port city of Ashdod, approximately 145 km from the Lebanese border, signaling an expansion in the range of hostilities.The escalation comes ahead of talks scheduled to begin Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to be mediated by U.S. officials.
The office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the discussions were agreed upon following contacts between Israeli, Lebanese and U.S. diplomats, reiterating Beirut’s position that negotiations should take place under a ceasefire.
However, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter described the upcoming meeting as “formal peace negotiations” and said a ceasefire would not be part of the agenda, highlighting a divergence in positions.A Lebanese government official familiar with the matter said a halt in hostilities remained a key condition for Beirut’s participation, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The latest round of fighting began after Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, prompting Israel to initiate an expanded air campaign and ground operations in southern Lebanon.Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 1,953 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the escalation began.
On Wednesday alone, about 100 strikes across the country including densely populated areas of Beirut killed at least 303 people, marking the deadliest day in the current conflict.Concerns have also grown over the safety of medical facilities. The World Health Organization has called for the protection of Rafik Hariri University Hospital after Israeli evacuation warnings covered surrounding areas, including the Jnah neighborhood.
Health officials said they had received assurances the hospital would not be targeted, though staff remain at risk amid ongoing strikes.Emergency responders continue to search for victims trapped under rubble in Beirut and other affected areas as hostilities persist.
