Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Kills Five as Lebanon and Hezbollah Agree to US-Proposed Ceasefire with Israel

An Israeli airstrike in central Beirut killed five people and wounded 31 on Monday, marking the second consecutive day of strikes in the city. The attack comes as Lebanon and Hezbollah agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire with Israel. Tel Aviv is yet to respond.

An Israeli airstrike in central Beirut on Monday killed at least five people, marking the second consecutive day of Israeli bombardment in the Lebanese capital. The attack targeted the densely populated Zuqaq al-Blat neighborhood, close to the Lebanese government’s headquarters. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that 31 others were injured, with two more individuals reported missing. At least 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon so far according to reports. 

Over the past week, Israel has escalated its airstrikes in and around Beirut, while Hezbollah has launched several rocket and drone attacks targeting Israeli military sites.

As the fighting rages on, Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S.-led ceasefire proposal with Israel a top Lebanese official told Reuters on Monday, describing the effort as the most serious yet to end the fighting.

Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, said Lebanon had delivered its written response to the U.S. ambassador in Lebanon on Monday, and White House envoy Amos Hochstein was travelling to Beirut to continue talks.

"Lebanon presented its comments on the paper in a positive atmosphere," Khalil said, declining to give further details. "All the comments that we presented affirm the precise adherence to (U.N.) Resolution 1701 with all its provisions," he said.

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

However, a diplomat familiar with the negotiations warned that final details still need to be resolved, which could delay a full agreement. The ceasefire plan is expected to align with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution mandates Hezbollah to relocate its fighters and weapons north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Israel’s recent operations began in late September, following a year of escalating hostilities with Hezbollah. The Israeli military has focused on dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities, conducting airstrikes across Lebanon, and deploying ground forces in southern Lebanon. In the latest escalation, Israel’s airstrikes on Beirut on Sunday killed 10 people, including a senior Hezbollah media official.

On Monday, a rocket fired from Lebanon struck a building in the Israeli town of Shfaram, killing an Israeli citizen. The Israeli military confirmed that at least five rockets were fired from Lebanon.

The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire, with hopes for a diplomatic resolution as both sides remain entrenched in the ongoing conflict.

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