Israeli airstrikes killed eight people in Lebanon as attacks continued into Tuesday morning, despite US President Donald Trump's claim that a Middle East peace deal with Iran is just days away. The strikes raise concerns that Israel's actions against Hezbollah could undermine hopes for a settlement, even as Washington insists a deal is imminent.
Evacuations and Attacks in Southern Lebanon
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, warning residents to leave immediately due to Hezbollah presence. Airstrikes on Tyre and the neighboring Nabatieh region killed several people, including a 16-year-old boy. Tyre, Lebanon's fifth-largest city, lies south of the Litani River, a key demarcation line in the conflict, and has a majority Shia Muslim population alongside Sunni and Christian communities.
Iran had previously agreed to stop firing missiles at Israel but warned that any attack on Lebanon would end the ceasefire and prompt a more severe response. Israel, while agreeing to halt fighting in Lebanon, had warned of a full-force reaction if Hezbollah attacked. The latest strikes occurred after evacuation orders accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire.
Iranian Casualties and US Peace Deal Claims
Iranian state TV reported that at least two members of an Iranian military air defense unit were killed in Israeli attacks on Monday, which were in response to Iran firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. US President Donald Trump claimed that negotiators are in the final stages of a deal with Iran that would prevent nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that the deal could be signed within two or three days, marking the 16th time he has claimed a peace deal is close.
Trump also confirmed that pilots from a US Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz are safe, though the cause of the incident remains unknown. He insisted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not defy him by launching airstrikes on Iran, despite warnings from Tehran. Iran believes Israel is not acting independently of US control, raising questions about whether Netanyahu could scupper any potential peace deal.
Regional Tensions and Future Prospects
The continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, despite US claims of an imminent peace deal, have put the Middle East on high alert. The situation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the challenges in achieving a lasting settlement between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran. As diplomatic efforts continue, the risk of further escalation remains high.
