▲ An apartment building in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, destroyed by an Israeli airstrike.
While expectations for a ceasefire in Lebanon are growing as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities between the U.S. and Iran appears imminent, Israel has expanded its offensive targeting the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to The New York Times (NYT) and CNN on June 13 (local time), the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents of 20 villages in southern Lebanon before launching a massive aerial bombardment.
The strikes resulted in multiple casualties, including the mayor of the Ali al-Nahri region in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that the Israeli military struck several areas, including Tyre, Jezzine, and Nabatieh, and that a church was also hit.
The Israeli military claimed to have struck over 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours.
Hezbollah continued its offensive, claiming to have struck 19 Israeli military outposts.
This escalation is drawing attention as it occurs amid speculation that the U.S.-Iran MOU could encompass a ceasefire on the Lebanese front.
Iran has consistently demanded that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be included in any agreement with the U.S.
In an interview with state television the previous day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the yet-to-be-signed MOU would contain solutions for "all fronts," including the conflict in Lebanon.
However, Israel maintains a hardline stance.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would not withdraw from occupied areas in Lebanon, adding that the military would "respond to both near and far threats."
Consequently, analysts suggest that even if a ceasefire clause for Lebanon is included in the MOU, Israel may secure room to continue military operations against Hezbollah, citing security necessities.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.