Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 17 people, according to Lebanese officials, as British diplomats launched urgent talks to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a wider regional war. The strikes, which hit several villages near the border, are the deadliest in the area since the 2006 war. The Israeli military said the operations targeted Hezbollah positions in retaliation for a rocket attack on the Golan Heights.
Casualties included civilians, though exact figures remain unverified. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in the region, holding meetings with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts. Downing Street confirmed that diplomatic channels are “fully active” and that a ceasefire is the immediate priority.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) called for restraint and held emergency talks with both sides. The strikes come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with fears that a miscalculation could draw in Iran and its proxies. International observers are urging all parties to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict.
Hezbollah has not yet retaliated, and analysts say that restraint from the group will be key to preventing a broader conflagration.
