Israeli forces raised their flag over the Lebanese town of Chamaa, situated about 5 kilometers from the border, as they advanced deeper into southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, intense clashes unfolded on Wednesday between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters near the strategic coastal town of Biyyadah.
These developments coincided with US envoy Amos Hochstein’s visit to Beirut, where he announced “additional progress” on the American ceasefire proposal. Hochstein expressed optimism, stating, “A conclusion can be reached” after his scheduled talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Negotiations over the ceasefire involved Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah representative Ali Hamdan, who conducted discussions with Hochstein. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah described the US proposal as a “document of mutual commitments” under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, emphasizing the protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Reports suggested that Hezbollah has tentatively agreed to the inclusion of a US representative in the ceasefire monitoring committee, which is expected to include officials from Washington, Paris, an Arab country like Egypt, and the United Nations.
Despite diplomatic efforts, confrontations in southern Lebanon escalated, with both Israeli forces and Hezbollah accused of targeting UN peacekeeping positions. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported injuries to six peacekeepers, including four Ghanaian soldiers injured by a missile near Ramiayh. UNIFIL reiterated its commitment to maintaining its operations despite rising tensions.
Lebanon reported increased casualties among its military personnel, with four soldiers killed over two days by Israeli strikes, including one targeting a medical vehicle. Meanwhile, Israel claimed to have eliminated two Hezbollah commanders linked to missile attacks on northern Israel and confirmed targeting Ali Munir Shaito, Hezbollah’s southern front commander in Syria, in a recent airstrike.
Israeli airstrikes continued across southern Lebanon, affecting areas like Kfarshuba, Tyre, and Nabatieh, while Beirut and its southern suburbs experienced relative calm.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council, reporting that 27 civil defense personnel were killed and 76 injured due to Israeli attacks. The broader toll of the ongoing conflict now stands at 3,544 fatalities and over 15,000 injuries.