Israel continues strikes on Beirut, artillery shell hits UNIFIL HQ

Lebanese officials are reviewing a U.S. truce proposal, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and redeployment of Lebanese troops to the southern border, AFP reported. 

A top government official in Beirut, requesting anonymity, said U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson discussed with senior Lebanese officials on Thursday a 13-point proposal.

The official added that Israel has yet to respond to the plan.

Ceasefire efforts spearheaded by the United States and France have so far failed to halt the hostilities

A senior Iranian official said that Iran backs any decision taken by Lebanon in talks to secure a ceasefire with Israel. 

UN peacekeeping force says artillery shell hits HQ 

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that an artillery shell hit its West Sector headquarters in Southern Lebanon's Shama.

There was no injury among peacekeepers, and only minor damages to a facility, UNIFIL added in a statement.

The statement published on Friday night said: "As a precautionary measure due to ongoing hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah, personnel were in shelters.

"We strongly remind all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and properties. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are a grave violation of international humanitarian laws and of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701."

It is unclear who was responsible for firing the shell. 

Lebanon: escalation as hopes for peace linger

Intensified conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continued to escalate, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut on Saturday. 

Plumes of smoke rose over the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes came after warnings from the Israeli military urging residents to evacuate areas near Hezbollah facilities.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reports over 3,445 fatalities since October 2023, with the majority occurring after hostilities intensified in late September 2024. 

Israeli strikes kill two medics in South Lebanon

Israeli strikes on villages in south Lebanon killed at least two medics early on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Beirut's southern suburbs were bombarded for a fifth consecutive day.

Airstrikes killed a medic in the town of Borj Rahal in the Tyre District, south of Lebanon, and strikes on an emergency response team in the southern town of Kfartebnit killed one medic and injured four others while two medics were missing.

Israel launched at least nine airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanese authorities had not yet reported casualties from these attacks.

Israel's military said the attacks had targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the suburbs.