Hezbollah rockets, missiles continue to fall on Israel
Hezbollah fires rockets at targets in the heart of Israel, in Petah Tikva, Nahariya and Haifa. According to the Israeli army, hundreds of rockets and projectiles were fired from Lebanon across Israel.
Extensive damage was reported in several direct impacts that included two military installations. Cars were set on fire and buildings were heavily damaged. Residents in Israel’s most populated area took cover in shelters and safe rooms.
Israel’s sophisticated air defence systems did not intercept all the rockets. Some people were treated for injuries. At least one was described as serious.
Rockets kept falling into the night, with shrapnel reaching Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank – where there are no shelters or sirens. Several people were injured in the Tulkarem refugee camp and buildings sustained damage.
Discussions on a possible ceasefire deal with Lebanon continue without a breakthrough. Until such a deal is struck, it’s expected that negotiations will persist under fire – and that the targeting of Tel Aviv in return for attacks on Beirut will stay in place.
Top EU diplomat visits burns unit in Beirut hospital
Josep Borrell has expressed doubts about Israel’s willingness to reach a ceasefire in comments he delivered after meeting patients who had been burned in Israeli attacks at Beirut’s Geitaoui Hospital.
“Now, once again, we are hearing that a ceasefire is imminent, and as I said, I heard it many times. I heard it in Lebanon, I heard it in Gaza – and it seems that, once again, Israel is putting new conditions for this ceasefire.”
“And I hope that the people who are not willing peace, the people who continue pushing for war, have to be accountable for what they are doing,” Borrell added.
“I don’t see any reason that could justify a single day more of pain.”
Borrell and Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, met with patients and hospital staff as the EU delivered surgical kits to the hospital
What’s happening in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hezbollah?
Several media outlets in Israel and the US say the Israeli government has agreed in principle to a ceasefire in Lebanon. The reports came as the Israeli cabinet met to discuss a truce on Sunday night.
Here’s what they are saying:
- Israel’s YNet News, citing Lebanese, Israeli and US sources, reported that Israel had agreed in principle to a settlement in Lebanon, possibly in part because Israeli officials feared the US may withdraw as mediator.
- US media outlet Axios reported Israel and Hezbollah are “on the cusp” of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon and reported US mediator Amos Hochstein had threatened to withdraw if Israel did not make progress within days. It cited two senior Israeli officials and two US officials.
- Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, citing unnamed US and Israeli sources, reported that Israel had agreed “in principle” to “the outline” of a settlement but said no final agreement had been reached.
- While Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported that a number of MPs, including from the ruling coalition, were pressing Netanyahu not to reach a deal, as Hezbollah rocket barrages continued across Israel.
