Lebanon pushes for truce as Israeli demolitions continue
Lebanon pushes for truce as Israeli demolitions continue
As US mediates a 10-day ceasefire, Israeli demolitions in southern Lebanon raise pressure on both sides to extend the pause.
The Israeli army has been demolishing homes in areas of southern Lebanon it has occupied since agreeing last week to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The 10-day pause, mediated by the United States, has been punctuated by sporadic clashes and humanitarian concerns as residents flee or watch their livelihoods crumble.
Beirut and other Lebanese authorities are pressing for an extension of the truce as talks in Washington intensify. Israel has urged Lebanon's government to cooperate against Hezbollah, arguing that stability on the border hinges on that cooperation.
Casualties have been reported as fighting continues on the eve of the talks. Three people were killed in separate strikes in Lebanon, and another set of incidents has left five Lebanese dead, underscoring how civilians bear the brunt of the current interruptions to calm.
With the ceasefire due to expire on Sunday, diplomats say negotiators hope to secure an extended pause to prevent a broader escalation. The talks aim to reduce tensions and create a path for negotiations on a longer-term arrangement.
Humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions along the border, where civilians face damaged infrastructure and uncertainty about upcoming aid deliveries. The border region remains volatile as the international community keeps pressure on both sides to honor commitments and avoid a relapse into wider fighting.
Armed confrontation risk looms while the world watches for a durable de-escalation agreement. The next steps in Washington could determine whether the fragile lull becomes a lasting peace or collapses into renewed hostilities.
