Israel resumes military strikes on southern Lebanon as Rome hosts peace talks

Israel resumed military strikes on southern Lebanon on Wednesday amid ongoing peace talks hosted in Rome, according to multiple reports. The Israeli military cited a ceasefire violation by Hezbollah as justification for the renewed attacks, leading to the evacuation of residents from the town of Mansouri. At least one person was killed and 11 others injured in the strikes, according to Lebanese state media. This comes as Lebanon and Israel participate in US-sponsored negotiations aimed at ending hostilities, with Beirut seeking a phased Israeli withdrawal from the country’s southern regions. The strikes marked the first evacuation warning issued by the Israeli military in weeks. In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they were acting against Hezbollah, which it labeled a “terrorist organization,” following alleged breaches of the ceasefire agreement. The military’s Arabic-language spokeswoman, Ella Waweya, urged residents of Mansouri to evacuate their homes immediately and relocate northward. Mansouri, situated approximately nine kilometers south of Tyre and 10 kilometers north of Israel, has been targeted by Israeli strikes and artillery shelling in recent weeks despite the ceasefire that took effect in June. The town’s municipal authorities had previously advised residents to return to Mansouri on June 22, but instructed them to avoid areas falling within Israel’s so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon. This zone, defined as a strip of land extending roughly 10 kilometers deep into Lebanon near the Israel-Lebanon border, remains under Israeli control. The area has become a focal point of contention during the ongoing conflict, with repeated Israeli incursions and Hezbollah retaliatory actions. Peace talks between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the United States, began in Rome earlier this week and are set to continue through Thursday. These negotiations represent the seventh round of Washington-led discussions since Hezbollah escalated tensions in March by launching rocket fire at Israel in support of Iran, its primary patron. During previous talks in June, both sides reached a framework agreement outlining steps toward a lasting resolution, including Hezbollah’s disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese military to the region, beginning in designated “pilot zones.” Despite these efforts, violence persists. The US State Department has indicated that current discussions will focus on expanding the pilot zone initiative, addressing unresolved border disputes, and advancing a broader peace and security accord. Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani engaged with his Iranian counterpart, urging Tehran to curtail Hezbollah’s activities. Tajani expressed optimism that the talks might produce tangible outcomes, though he acknowledged the challenges ahead. Hezbollah, however, has remained skeptical. Its leader, Naim Qassem, warned that direct negotiations would result in “nothing but shame, humiliation” and further concessions for Lebanon. He reiterated the group’s refusal to relinquish its weapons, a key demand that has consistently blocked progress in peace talks. Despite Hezbollah’s resistance, violence in Lebanon has declined somewhat since the initial agreement between Israel and Lebanon in June and the signing of a preliminary US-Iran deal on the Middle East conflict. Nonetheless, sporadic Israeli strikes and shelling continue to affect southern villages, alongside acts of demolition and detonation attributed to both sides. Since the outbreak of hostilities in early March, Israel’s military has suffered 38 casualties, including 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor. The situation remains volatile, with the outcome of the Rome talks potentially shaping the future of regional stability.