Smoke rises on the Lebanon side of the border with Israel, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Mount Addir, northern Israel, on Thursday. Reuters
A Hezbollah attack on the northern Israeli border community of Metula resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including an Israeli farmer and four foreign workers, according to Israel's Channel 12 on Thursday. This attack occurred ahead of anticipated meetings in Israel between high-ranking officials and US envoys who are working on a new initiative to secure a ceasefire in both Lebanon, where Israeli forces are engaged in combat with Iran-backed Hezbollah, and in Gaza, where they are fighting Hamas Palestinian militants.
Separately, Israel issued a second consecutive evacuation warning to residents of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. On Wednesday, Israel conducted heavy airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in the city, known for its Roman temples. Hezbollah reported launching several rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli forces near the southern town of Khiyam on Thursday. This marked the fourth consecutive day of fighting in and around the strategic hilltop town, which is home to one of the largest Shi'ite communities in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah aims to keep Israeli forces out of the town to prevent them from detonating homes and buildings, as has been done on a large scale in other border towns, according to a source familiar with the group's strategy. Hezbollah claims its fighters have prevented Israel from fully occupying or controlling any southern villages, while Israel asserts it is conducting limited ground operations aimed at destroying the group's infrastructure.
The White House announced on Wednesday that US security official Brett McGurk would visit Israel on Thursday along with Amos Hochstein, a US envoy who has been working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. A US official stated that they would discuss a range of issues "including Gaza, Lebanon, hostages, Iran, and broader regional matters" during the visit. Sources previously informed Reuters that discussions were focused on a 60-day pause to allow for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which would involve Hezbollah withdrawing its armed presence from south of the Litani River.
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