Na serious matter dey ground for Middle East as Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announce say dem dey investigate one strike for southern Lebanon wey Lebanese authorities claim kill eight members of dia State Security agency. The incident happen for Nabatieh area, and Lebanese media report say Israeli warplanes carry out heavy strikes wey hit near government building. One AFP photographer see extensive damage for the site, with fire still dey burn.
IDF come out talk say dem target buildings wey Hezbollah dey use for military activity, but dem dey aware of reports say casualties occur among Lebanon security forces. “The incident dey under review,” military add. This development come as diplomatic efforts dey intensify between Israel and Lebanon, with first contact happen via telephone call between dia ambassadors for Washington on Friday.
Lebanon presidency release statement say the call happen with participation of US ambassador to Lebanon, as part of diplomatic efforts wey aim to secure ceasefire and launch negotiations. The two sides agree to hold first meeting on Tuesday for US State Department under Washington mediation. Israeli Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese counterpart Nada Hamadeh-Moawad go attend, alongside US ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa and State Department counselor Mike Needham.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announce yesterday say Israel go begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” aim to disarm Hezbollah and reach full peace agreement between the two countries. But Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warn Lebanese government to stop giving “free concessions” to Israel ahead of the talks. Qassem denounce what he call “bloody criminality on Wednesday,” referring to Israeli strikes wey Lebanon say kill more than 300 people.
For military side, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir talk say the fighting against Hezbollah for Lebanon na dia “primary combat zone.” “The IDF dey for state of war, we no dey for ceasefire. We continue to fight here for this sector,” Zamir talk during visit to outskirts of Bint Jbeil yesterday. “For Iran, we dey for ceasefire, and we fit return to fighting there any moment, and for very powerful way,” Zamir add.
IDF provide new details on wide-scale strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on Wednesday, claim say dem kill at least 180 members of the terror group. Lebanon health ministry report say the strikes kill 357, but no differentiate between civilians and combatants. The strikes hit around 100 Hezbollah sites for southern Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, and Beirut according to military.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continue rocket attacks on northern Israel. Today alone, Hezbollah fire some 30 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel according to IDF. One rocket strike home for Misgav Am border community, cause damage but no injuries. Another rocket hit building at sports court for Nahariya, cause damage but no injuries. Hezbollah also take responsibility for missile attack on Ashdod last night, claim say dem target Israeli Navy base for the city port.
For diplomatic front, US Vice President JD Vance express optimism about potential for deal with Iran before boarding plane for Islamabad, Pakistan where first round of talks go hold tomorrow. “We dey look forward to the negotiation. I think e go positive. We go of course see,” Vance tell reporters. Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf don arrive Islamabad for peace talks with United States, with negotiations to begin if Washington accept Tehran “preconditions.”
Ghalibaf state earlier say those demands include ceasefire for Lebanon, which Iran and mediating Pakistan talk say suppose be part of ceasefire with US to begin with. Ghalibaf also call for release of billions of dollars in frozen assets belonging to Iran. US and Israel claim otherwise about Lebanon ceasefire inclusion.
As all these dey happen, World Bank President Ajay Banga warn say war for Middle East go have cascading impact on global economy, even if fragile ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump hold. Banga talk say global growth fit reduce by 0.3 to 0.4 percentage point for baseline scenario, with early end to war, and by as much as 1 percentage point if e endure.
Back to Israel-Lebanon matter, Channel 12 report say ahead of Tuesday meeting, Washington and Beirut dey push Israel to agree to ceasefire for Lebanon as demonstration of Jerusalem seriousness about reaching agreement. US officials argue say the ceasefire go frame as achievement by Lebanese government, as opposed to win for Iran. Israel never yet make decision on the matter, but some senior officials for Jerusalem dey argue in favor of agreeing to ceasefire.
The situation remain tense, with Lebanese media show heavy Israeli strikes for Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon earlier today. IDF say dem continue offensive against Hezbollah terror group amid ceasefire for Iran. One thing clear: as diplomatic channels open, military activities continue, and civilians on both sides dey bear the brunt of ongoing hostilities.
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