Israel conducts airstrikes in Beirut as ceasefire agreement looms

Israel conducts airstrikes in Beirut as ceasefire agreement looms

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Nov 26 (Reuters) – Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday, hours before Israel’s cabinet convened to deliberate on a potential ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Both a senior Israeli official and Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed cautious optimism that a deal could be finalized, potentially ending a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives since its escalation during the Gaza war last year.

Despite the progress in negotiations, violence persisted, with Israeli strikes targeting densely populated areas in southern Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military reported hitting 20 targets in just two minutes and issued its most extensive evacuation warning yet, urging civilians to leave 20 locations. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee described the attacks as part of a "widespread operation" against Hezbollah.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah continued its rocket fire into Israel. Meanwhile, the U.N. rights chief raised alarms over the escalating violence, reporting nearly 100 deaths in recent days, including women, children, and medics, due to Israeli strikes.

Israel’s security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to meet for three hours starting at 1400 GMT to discuss the ceasefire, which a senior official suggested would likely be approved.

The agreement, brokered with support from U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly requires Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy in the area. Hezbollah would also end its armed presence south of the Litani River. Lebanese officials stated the U.S. might assist in rebuilding infrastructure devastated by the conflict.

Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel would demand strict U.N. enforcement of any ceasefire and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for violations. Meanwhile, Hezbollah fired 250 rockets on Sunday in one of its heaviest barrages, with the northern Israeli city of Nahariya among the areas hit.

The conflict has caused widespread devastation, with over 3,750 people killed in Lebanon and more than a million displaced, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israeli casualties include 45 civilians and 73 soldiers.

A ceasefire could enable thousands of displaced Israelis and Lebanese to return home, but significant reconstruction challenges loom, particularly for cash-strapped Lebanon. Both nations face an uphill battle in securing peace and stability as negotiations continue.