Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut
Beirut, Jun 2: Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit parts of Lebanon on Tuesday despite efforts by US President Donald Trump to secure a halt in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah amid concerns that escalating violence could derail ongoing US-Iran peace negotiations.
The Israeli military launched new attacks after reporting overnight projectile launches from Lebanon. The latest violence came hours after Trump said he had spoken to both sides and that they had agreed to de-escalate tensions.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least six people were killed in an Israeli strike on the southern village of Marwaniyeh. Lebanon's Civil Defense agency also reported that one of its centres in Nabatieh was damaged in an Israeli airstrike, while the Lebanese Army said two soldiers were injured in a drone strike in the same area.
The Israeli military said it had intercepted at least two projectiles that crossed into Israeli territory overnight and later detected what it described as a "suspicious aerial target" near an area where Israeli troops were operating in southern Lebanon. Israel maintained that its strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
The Lebanese Embassy in Washington said Hezbollah had accepted a US-backed proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks, which would also prevent Israeli strikes on Beirut. However, fighting continued despite the reported understanding.
Trump said he had held a "very productive" conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and claimed Israeli forces heading towards Beirut had been turned back. Reports also suggested that Trump had urged Israel to avoid expanding military operations in the Lebanese capital.
Tensions escalated after Netanyahu ordered strikes on targets in Beirut's southern suburbs in response to attacks attributed to Hezbollah. The announcement triggered panic among residents, with many fleeing parts of the city fearing a wider conflict.
The developments have complicated ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran. Tehran reportedly warned that continued Israeli military action in Lebanon could jeopardise negotiations with Washington aimed at reducing regional tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian media reports, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iran could suspend negotiations and take a tougher stance if Israeli attacks continued.
Trump later said discussions with Iran were still continuing, although he acknowledged reports that Tehran had threatened to pause talks through intermediaries.
The situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside renewed military exchanges on the Israel-Lebanon border.