Israeli jets target Beirut ahead of talks on truce

Israeli war planes hit Beirut's southern suburbs with a wave of airstrikes on Tuesday just before Israel’s cabinet met with its Hezbollah foes to discuss a ceasefire deal.

This came as Israel’s security cabinet under PM Benjamin Netanyahu was due to start meeting at 7:30 pm (IST) to discuss the ceasefire deal, which a senior Israeli official said was likely to be approved.

Israeli strikes smashed more of Beirut’s densely-populated southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, with the Israeli military saying one barrage of strikes had hit 20 targets in the city in just 120 seconds.

Israel also issued its biggest evacuation warning yet, telling civilians to leave 20 locations. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the air force was conducting a “widespread attack” on Hezbollah targets across the city.

Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has kept up rocket fire into Israel. The UN Rights chief voiced concern about the escalation of bloodshed in Lebanon.