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Israel Strikes Kill Dozens in Lebanon Amid Talks
Israeli strikes killed 60 people in four days as mediators press on with talks that have yet to produce a ceasefire breakthrough.
On Thursday, Israeli air and artillery strikes hit southern Lebanon including Tyre and Bint Jbeil, violating the April 17 US-brokered ceasefire as the death toll since March 2 nears 2,700.
Following the March 2 Hezbollah rocket fire, Israel established a 10-kilometer 'yellow line' buffer zone in southern Lebanon to prevent Radwan Force infiltrations across the border.
Ongoing military operations have displaced more than 1.2 million people and injured 8,311, while strikes damaged cultural sites including the 400-year-old Great Mosque in Bint Jbeil.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun refuses to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until a security agreement is secured, despite intense US pressure for a high-level summit.
Continued strikes erode political space for US-mediated negotiations, hardening domestic opposition and reducing the likelihood that ambassador-level meetings will yield a durable ceasefire or disarmament.
The Israeli army calls for the evacuation of twelve villages in southern Lebanon. Iran announces approval procedures for the use of the Strait of Hormus.