HEADLINES

• An Israeli strike targeted a car on a major highway linking Beirut to southern Lebanon, the Lebanese National News Agency reported, despite a truce in the war between Israel and Hezbollah. READ MORE BELOW

• China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and help to "properly" address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media said. READ MORE BELOW

• On Tuesday, Israel hammered south Lebanon with more strikes, killing 13 people in the south, including two rescuers responding to an earlier raid in the city of Nabatieh and a wounded person they went to save, Lebanon's health ministry said.

• The New York Times reported that classified US intelligence assessments say Iran still has substantial missile capabilities - with about 70% of its mobile launchers and pre-war missile stockpile still in action - and has restored access to 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.

• Iran labelled as "absolutely baseless" an accusation made by Kuwait that four Iranian officers attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan, the Gulf country's largest island, saying they entered Kuwaiti waters because of disruption to navigational systems.

• The US Pentagon said the cost of the war with Iran had climbed to nearly $29 billion.

• Italy said it was sending two warships closer to the Gulf but would only deploy them as part of an international mission in case of a lasting truce in the region.

• Australia will join a "strictly defensive" mission led by France and Britain to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday.

IN DETAIL

Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue

Israeli airstrikes killed eight people on a highway south of Beirut on Wednesday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as conflict between Hezbollah and Israel continued on the eve of a third round of US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been trading blows despite a US-mediated ceasefire announced last month, with hostilities largely focused in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are occupying a self-declared security zone.

The three separate airstrikes were carried out well beyond the main theatre of conflict in the south, targeting vehicles on the coastal highway in the Jiyeh area, around 20 km (12 miles) south of Beirut, security sources said.

Photographs of the bombed cars showed the vehicles severely damaged, their exteriors charred and torn apart.

The Lebanese health ministry said the dead included two children.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and told residents to leave six towns and villages where it intended to act against the group.

Wang Yi urges Pakistani mediation efforts

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on Pakistan to step up mediation efforts, and contribute to properly addressing issues related to opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Wang made the appeal during a phone call with the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan's recent mediation efforts in facilitating talks between Iran and the United States, thanked China for its support of Pakistan's efforts to promote dialogue, and expressed hope to strengthen coordination with China to jointly play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

"Both sides underscored the importance of continuing a durable ceasefire and ensuring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.

Wang commended Pakistan for facilitating the US-Iran talks and helping extend the temporary ceasefire. He expressed hope that Pakistan will maintain confidence and contribute to restoring regional peace at an early date, which is also the common aspiration of the international community.

China will continue to support Pakistan's mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end, Wang said.