Israel and Lebanon: A Night of Airstrikes, a Push for Peace

In the quiet of night, Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, targeting Hezbollah's command centers and munitions factories. This move came as the U. S. was urging for a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli military warned residents to evacuate, announcing their troops were nearing Hezbollah's facilities. Just a few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed to top Biden administration officials that any cease-fire with Hezbollah would require addressing threats from Lebanon and ensuring the safe return of Israeli citizens. This discussion took place as Hezbollah reportedly attacked with rockets, killing at least seven people. The conflict has been escalating over the past month, with Lebanon's Ministry of Health reporting over 2, 800 deaths, most of which occurred in recent weeks. Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized Israel's actions, noting that the expanding aggression and threats of evacuation proved an unwillingness to reach a cease-fire. The World Health Organization has raised concerns about the increasing attacks on health workers and facilities in Lebanon. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in intense military actions.