Israel is stepping up strikes against Hezbollah as an end-of-war deal appears imminent

Israeli strikes on areas south of Beirut, a stronghold of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, intensified on Monday afternoon, as a possible ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militants appeared to be nearing.

The strikes by Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik and Tayyouneh came after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings.

Videos show a building with at least eight floors suspended from the ground in Tayyouneh. A loud explosion was heard throughout the city.

A house in Choueifat, an area outside Hezbollah's base, was struck without warning, Lebanese security sources said.

The Israeli military said it carried out intelligence-based strikes on about “25 terrorist sites under the control of the Hezbollah Executive Council in Lebanon, including Nabatieh, Baalbek, Beqaa Valley, Dahieh, and the suburbs of Beirut.”

According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli Cabinet will approve a cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah on Tuesday evening. The text of this agreement to end more than a year of conflict has been fully discussed, they reported.

Lebanese government officials in Beirut expressed optimism, but stressed that the decision now rested with Israel.

The current ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel aims to fully implement the agreement reached at the end of the previous war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Therefore, the Lebanese army will be stationed in the border area of ​​Israel to prevent Hezbollah from returning. .

Hezbollah has been targeting northern Israel with missiles and drones for more than a year to show support for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel initially responded to Hezbollah's fire with counter-attacks, but since September it has launched heavy airstrikes in the country and ground attacks in southern Lebanon.

UN: 45 Lebanese soldiers have been killed in Israeli attacks so far

Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon has condemned Israel's attack on the Lebanese army during its war with Hezbollah.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said 45 Lebanese soldiers have been killed so far in Israeli attacks on targets in Lebanon.

“UNIFIL is deeply concerned about the numerous strikes by the Lebanese Armed Forces inside Lebanese territories, despite the declaration of non-involvement in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel,” the statement said.

Such attacks constitute “flagrant violations” of international humanitarian law, UNIFIL said.

The Lebanese army is not an active party in the war between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.