Israeli Troops Intensify Operations in Southern Lebanon
Israeli troops have made their deepest incursion into southern Lebanon since the onset of their latest offensive on October 1. Reports indicate that Israeli forces reached the town of Chama, approximately 100 kilometers from Beirut, where they destroyed a shrine significant to Shiite Muslims. This escalation coincides with ongoing ceasefire negotiations, as Hezbollah considers a new proposal from the United States and Israel.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, particularly the Dayiyeh region, a known Hezbollah stronghold. These strikes have resulted in extensive damage to buildings, with large plumes of smoke visible from the affected areas. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their operations aim to dismantle Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, which they accuse of embedding itself within civilian populations. Evacuation orders were issued to residents in several neighborhoods prior to the attacks.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that on Thursday alone, Israeli airstrikes resulted in at least 59 fatalities across Lebanon, primarily in Shiite-majority areas. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has retaliated by firing projectiles into northern Israel, with at least 60 projectiles identified crossing the border on Saturday.
Ceasefire Negotiations Amid Ongoing Violence
The recent surge in violence comes as US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, presented a new ceasefire proposal to the Lebanese government. This proposal is the first of its kind since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in late September, which was disrupted by the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Officials are cautiously optimistic that Hezbollah may accept the new terms, with an official response expected by Monday.
The conflict, which escalated significantly after Hezbollah's attack on Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, has led to a political priority for Israeli leadership to return 60,000 civilians to their homes in northern Israel. As the situation develops, the impact of ongoing military operations on ceasefire negotiations remains uncertain.
