Lebanon state media reports new Israeli strikes in south

Beirut, Lebanon - Lebanese state media reported that Israel launched airstrikes and artillery shelling overnight into Thursday morning, following the country's first military fatalities in over a month amid renewed hostilities. The strikes commenced on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by the initial evacuation warning in weeks. The attacks were reported to have targeted the Tyre district, specifically the town of Burj al-Shamali, and the region of Mansouri, resulting in at least four casualties and four wounded individuals.

Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) detailed the escalation of the Israeli attacks on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, while the health ministry confirmed one fatality from the previous day's strikes. Israel attributed the actions to Hezbollah's violation of a ceasefire that had significantly reduced hostilities since June, with two reservists losing their lives, marking the first such deaths in Lebanon since June 28.

US-mediated discussions in Rome aimed at ending the conflict saw Israel requesting a premature closure of the day's proceedings on Wednesday, though talks were expected to resume on Thursday. Previous negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in June resulted in a framework deal encompassing Hezbollah disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon's south, and Lebanese army deployment to the region, starting in pilot zones.

However, Iran-backed Hezbollah has consistently rejected the talks and the leader, Naim Qassem, dismissed direct negotiations as bringing "nothing but shame, humiliation" and concessions for Lebanon. The hostilities began on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in support of Iran, and since the initial outbreak, Israel's military has suffered 38 casualties, including one civilian contractor.