Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon as U.S. Seeks Iran Deal

Israeli forces carried out strikes against more than 100 Hezbollah sites in southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, the Israeli military said Tuesday. Targets included weapons storage facilities and command centers. An evacuation warning was also issued for the city of Nabatieh, indicating that further airstrikes were expected.

The Israeli military said the overnight strikes formed part of an intensified campaign ordered after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he had directed the military to increase pressure on Hezbollah. " One strike hit the town of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley, killing at least 11 people, including two children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Hezbollah has continued rocket and drone attacks on Israeli troops during the same period.

Background on the Fighting The latest round of fighting began in March after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in support of Iran, shortly following the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran. A U.S.-brokered cease-fire took effect in April, but both sides have accused each other of violations since then.

The recent escalation in Lebanon coincides with reported progress in talks between President Trump and Iranian officials aimed at reaching an agreement to end the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.