Israel renews airstrikes on southern Beirut amid US efforts to reach cease-fire

By Wassim Seif El Din

BEIRUT (AA) – The Israeli army renewed airstrikes on southern Beirut on Thursday amid US efforts to reach a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah.

Warplanes hit several buildings in Haret Hreik neighborhood, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, the state news agency NNA reported.

The attacks occurred after a short lull during talks held by US envoy Amos Hochstein to Beirut with Lebanese officials on a cease-fire deal with Israel.

Hochstein left the Lebanese capital late Wednesday for Tel Aviv to meet Israeli officials on his cease-fire efforts in Lebanon.

Ahead of departure, he cited additional progress in talks to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The US, Israel’s main ally, is mediating between Tel Aviv and Beirut to reach a cease-fire deal to end more than a year of attacks between Hezbollah and Israel.

Israel has engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign in late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets.

More than 3,500 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with nearly 15,000 injured and more than 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar