Israel Pounds Southern Beirut Amid Rising Tensions: Lebanon Awaits Ceasefire Proposal

Israel’s military continues its heavy bombardment of southern Beirut, hitting the city’s southern suburbs for the second consecutive day. These air strikes have devastated key areas, including the Dahiyeh district, where several buildings were levelled. The ongoing attacks have resulted in significant casualties, including at least eight people killed in the village of Dawhit Aramoun, just south of Beirut. Among the victims were three women and three children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The region is bracing for further violence as Israel’s air force intensifies its strikes, while the Lebanese government awaits a ceasefire proposal from international powers, particularly Washington.

Casualties Mount as Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Fire

The deadly exchange between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has escalated since early October, with both sides ramping up their offensive operations. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reports that, since October 8, Israeli air strikes have claimed the lives of 3,365 people and injured over 14,000 others. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has been firing rockets into Israel in what it claims is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In response, Israel’s military announced it had destroyed several Hezbollah weapons facilities in the Beirut area and had engaged in fierce battles with the group along Lebanon’s southern border. Israel’s toll includes the loss of six soldiers during fighting, bringing the total number of Israeli military deaths to 47 since the conflict intensified.

Hezbollah’s Counterattack: Missiles Target Israeli Military Sites

In retaliation to Israel’s relentless air strikes, Hezbollah has launched a series of ballistic missile attacks targeting Israeli military infrastructure. One of the most significant strikes targeted the Israeli military’s headquarters, which also houses the Ministry of Defense. Using Qader-2 missiles, Hezbollah has escalated its efforts to cripple Israeli military capabilities. Additionally, the group claimed responsibility for firing explosive drones at the same site earlier in the conflict and later targeted a weapons manufacturing plant near Tel Aviv. This attack is seen as a direct hit on the Israeli Weapons Industries (IWI), a key supplier of the country’s military equipment. The rising missile exchanges indicate a dramatic shift in the scale and nature of the conflict, with both sides pushing for dominance in the region.

US Push for a Ceasefire: Can the White House Broker Peace?

As the violence intensifies, there is mounting pressure on international powers to intervene and broker a ceasefire. White House envoy Amos Hochstein, who has been at the forefront of ceasefire efforts over the past year, expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a truce in Lebanon. Hochstein believes that there is a real chance for a ceasefire soon, though it remains unclear whether the competing demands from Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon can be reconciled. The Biden administration’s attempt to secure a ceasefire is seen as a last-ditch effort before the change in leadership, with President Biden’s term winding down. Despite the challenges, the US is hoping to prevent further escalation and loss of life.

Lebanon’s Call for Concrete Ceasefire Proposals

Lebanese negotiators, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, are awaiting concrete ceasefire proposals. Berri, who has been endorsed by Hezbollah as a key negotiator, emphasized that Lebanon is committed to the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for both sides to adhere to specific provisions, including the disarmament of Hezbollah. Berri’s statement suggests Lebanon’s desire for a balanced and enforceable ceasefire that does not place the burden of compliance solely on Lebanon. The Lebanese government’s position underscores the need for a resolution that ensures both security and sovereignty for the nation amid the ongoing conflict.

Israel’s War Goals: The Push for Disarming Hezbollah

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel’s leadership has remained firm on its war objectives. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made it clear that Israel will not halt its military operations until its goals are achieved. These goals include disarming Hezbollah and pushing its forces away from the Litani River, a key strategic location in southern Lebanon. Katz’s statement highlights Israel’s determination to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities, a central aim of its ongoing air and ground offensive. However, this stance has raised concerns about the feasibility of a lasting ceasefire, as Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm and Israel’s refusal to negotiate on key points threaten to derail any potential peace talks. As both sides prepare for more conflict, the international community is left to consider whether a ceasefire can be brokered before the violence spirals even further.