Washington, May 15, (dpa/GNA) – Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued on the ground in Lebanon, as Israeli and Lebanese officials held further US-mediated talks in Washington.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire in the war with Hezbollah, the Israeli military said on Thursday evening it was continuing operations against the Iran-backed militia in southern Lebanon. The military said it had killed more than 20 members of the Shiite organization in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, adding that it had also struck dozens of Hezbollah targets, including weapons depots and command centres.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, fired projectiles at northern Israel on Thursday evening, according to the Israeli military. Some were intercepted and others landed in open areas, the military said. Rocket alerts were triggered in several areas. There were initially no reports of casualties. The Israeli military also said Hezbollah had fired rockets towards Israeli soldiers during the day. No injuries were reported.
Further Israel-Lebanon talks in the US Israeli media, reported that a third round of talks between representatives from Israel and Lebanon was taking place in Washington.
There were initially no details on the substance of the latest negotiations. According to the reports, the talks are again being held at ambassadorial level and are due to continue on Friday.
The Lebanese government is not a party to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to earlier US statements, the two delegations aim to reach a “comprehensive peace and security agreement.” Lebanese security sources said on Thursday evening that Israel had shelled several locations in southern Lebanon.
They said the attacks had intensified since three civilians in Israel were injured by a Hezbollah drone, loaded with explosives. Israeli army representative said soldiers in southern Lebanon had been given special netting to protect them from explosive drones, which Hezbollah has increasingly used against them. The military has supplied around 158,000 square metres of netting, with more expected to arrive, the representative said.
Photos released by the Israeli military showed the nets attached to a military vehicle. Despite the ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade attacks almost daily, with each side accusing the other of violating the agreement. The current ceasefire could soon expire unless it is extended again. US President Donald Trump last extended the truce on April 23 after a White House meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon.
GNA