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.

The strikes, part of an expanded military campaign since March 2 after Hezbollah joined the regional conflict alongside Iran, hit Beirut and areas in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry said a strike in Beirut’s Jnah district killed at least five people and wounded 52.

Additional attacks included a strike on an apartment building in Ain Saadeh east of Beirut, where three people were killed, including Lebanese Forces official Pierre Mouawad and his wife, according to the state-run National News Agency.

In the southern town of Kfar Hatta, seven people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed, the ministry said.Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the specific strikes. Chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and said operations against Hezbollah would intensify.

Hezbollah said it had fired a cruise missile at an Israeli warship off the coast, but the Israeli military said it was not aware of such an attack.The escalation prompted the closure of the Masnaa crossing, Lebanon’s main land route to Syria. Israel had warned it would strike the crossing, alleging it was being used by Hezbollah to transfer military equipment.

Lebanese and Syrian officials said the crossing, a key civilian and trade artery, was evacuated and shut as a precaution.The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon warned that exchanges of fire near its positions could risk further escalation.Since the conflict expanded, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,400 people and displaced over one million, according to Lebanese authorities.

A strike in Jnah landed about 100 meters from Rafik Hariri University Hospital, causing damage and panic among patients. Hospital officials said they received dozens of casualties, while witnesses described explosions and falling debris in the area.Residents reported repeated strikes without warning.

Nancy Hassan, a local resident who previously lost her daughter in earlier fighting, said the campaigns had again hit her neighborhood.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for negotiations to prevent further destruction, particularly in southern regions where Israeli ground forces have advanced.

The strikes, part of an intensified campaign since early March after Hezbollah joined the regional conflict alongside Iran, hit multiple regions including Beirut and southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese health ministry said an attack in Beirut’s Jnah neighborhood killed at least five people and wounded 52.Additional strikes included an apartment building in Ain Saadeh east of Beirut, where three people were killed, among them Lebanese Forces official Pierre Mouawad and his wife, according to the state-run National News Agency.

In the southern town of Kfar Hatta, seven people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed, the ministry said.The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the specific strikes or their intended targets.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and said operations against Hezbollah would intensify.Hezbollah said it had launched a cruise missile toward an Israeli warship off the coast, though the Israeli military said it was not aware of such an incident.

The escalation prompted the closure of the Masnaa border crossing, the main transit point between Lebanon and Syria. Israel’s military had warned it would strike the crossing, alleging Hezbollah was using it to transport military equipment.

Lebanese and Syrian officials said the crossing, a key trade and civilian route, was evacuated and temporarily shut.Clashes near United Nations positions raised concerns of broader escalation.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon warned that continued exchanges of fire in proximity to its forcea could trigger retaliatory responses.Since the start of the conflict, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,400 people, including 126 children, and displaced over one million population, according to Lebanese authorities.

The strike in Jnah landed close to Rafik Hariri University Hospital, causing structural damage and panic among patients, hospital officials said. Medical staff reported receiving dozens of casualties, while nearby residents described repeated explosions and falling debris.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed calls for negotiations with Israel, urging efforts to prevent further destruction, particularly in the south where Israeli ground operations have expanded.