Israel wounds eight in Lebanon during Rome ceasefire talks

Israeli air strikes on Thursday wounded eight people in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Shemali, near Tyre, as the seventh round of US‑mediated ceasefire talks in Rome continued. The Lebanese Health Ministry said the strikes, carried out with drones, hit the al‑Malaab neighbourhood and also struck the towns of al‑Mansouri and Majdal Zoun. One civilian home was destroyed, and a booby‑trapped device killed two Israeli soldiers and injured four during a search operation in Majdal Zoun, the first Israeli casualties since a truce with Hezbollah was announced two months ago.

The attacks come amid a fragile pause in the conflict that began on March 2. Since then, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports 4,333 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries. On Wednesday, the Israeli army fired 113 projectiles into southern Lebanon – the highest number since June 21 – according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The latest strikes are part of a broader campaign that has targeted infrastructure and residential areas, raising fears of a renewed escalation as diplomatic efforts stall.

The Lebanese army moved troops to al‑Mansouri to reopen roads, but the Lebanese‑Israeli “Mechanism Committee” halted the mission, citing Israeli control of the border. Meanwhile, Israeli forces detonated explosives near Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO heritage site, claiming to target a tunnel system that, according to the army, could be used by Hezbollah to infiltrate Galilee. No evidence of such tunnels has been presented. The Israeli army also declared the village a restricted military zone, limiting access for civilians and aid workers.

In Rome, the US State Department described the talks as “fruitful” on a technical level, noting that Lebanon and Israel are closer to agreeing on expanding pilot zones. A senior Lebanese official said the session started an hour late due to US‑related reasons. The next steps will hinge on whether Israel can commit to a ceasefire and withdraw from Lebanese territory, and whether Hezbollah will agree to disarm. The outcome will shape the region’s security landscape and determine whether the current lull can transform into a lasting peace.