Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, authorities reported, as the Iran-backed Hezbollah group launched rockets into northern Israel. Lebanon's health ministry confirmed the dead included two paramedics whose ambulance was hit in the Chehour area. A car strike also occurred just south of Beirut.
Escalating Violence
Israel's military stated it intercepted a drone and two projectiles crossing the border. Hezbollah claimed it targeted a gathering of Israeli troops. These incidents tested a partial ceasefire agreed on Monday, under which Israel would refrain from bombing Beirut in exchange for Hezbollah ceasing attacks on Israel.
Diplomatic Efforts
Israeli and Lebanese diplomats held a second day of talks in Washington on Wednesday to strengthen the deal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for an action plan ensuring Lebanon's security independent of Hezbollah. Lebanon was drawn into the broader US-Israel-Iran conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah retaliated for an Israeli strike killing Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with an air campaign and ground invasion in southern Lebanon.
A US-brokered ceasefire on April 16 failed to halt hostilities. Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered intensified strikes on Hezbollah and deeper advances into Lebanon after drone and rocket attacks on northern Israeli communities.
