At least 14 killed as Israel ramps up offensive against Hezbollah, launches strike near Beirut ahead of negotiations
Israel launched a strike near Beirut on May 29, 2026, killing at least 14 people, including three children, as tensions escalate ahead of US-brokered negotiations with Lebanon. Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and withdrew from talks, while Israel claimed it had eliminated over 2,500 Hezbollah fighters since March, including 800 since the truce began on April 17.
Israel escalated its military offensive against Hezbollah on May 29, 2026, striking an apartment near Beirut and killing at least 14 people, including three children. The attack, the second in the capital since the April 17 ceasefire, targeted the Choueifat area, according to a Lebanese military source. The move came days before scheduled negotiations at the Pentagon and US-brokered talks in early June, the fourth round since the conflict erupted. Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc demanded Lebanon withdraw from negotiations, accusing Israel of seeking security coordination to justify aggression. The group also reported launching around 20 attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, including rocket and drone strikes. Meanwhile, Israel claimed it had eliminated approximately 2,500 Hezbollah fighters since March, with 800 killed since the ceasefire. Israel declared all areas south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River, including Tyre and Nabatieh, combat zones and ordered evacuations. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes as collective punishment, citing destruction in Tyre and Nabatieh, including a mosque. Beirut’s health ministry reported 3,324 civilian deaths from Israeli strikes, while Israel’s military stated it had conducted precise strikes in Beirut without specifying targets. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman urged both sides to respect the ceasefire. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, vowed to continue fighting, while Israel warned of intensified operations in southern Lebanon. The escalation risks derailing the fragile truce and prolonging the conflict.
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