The latest
Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Sunday — at the precise moment Washington and Tehran appeared closest to ending more than three months of war.
A joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military “attacked terrorist targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah’s firing into Israeli territory.” The Israeli military had earlier said Hezbollah launched three projectiles toward communities in northern Israel, calling it a blatant ceasefire violation.
Details
- Hezbollah did not immediately respond to the Israeli statement, but said it launched missiles and drones at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
- Lebanese security sources said the Dahiyeh strike appeared targeted, carried out with two missiles.
- A previous Israeli strike on Dahiyeh last week triggered an exchange of fire between Israel and Iran that nearly derailed the U.S.-Iran negotiations.
- Iran has long conditioned any broader deal with the United States on a cessation of fighting in Lebanon.
- U.S. and Pakistani officials had forecast a deal signing as early as Sunday.
What to watch
The next test is Tehran’s response. If Iran signals the strikes have crossed a red line or suspends engagement, the deal collapses at its most advanced stage. If all sides absorb the exchange and talks continue, the agreement remains possible — but the window is narrowing.
