US steps up Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire efforts

Israel has stepped up its air attacks on Lebanon’s south, where it is also conducting a ground invasion, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut. In the capital, it has carried out multiple strikes on the southern suburbs, known as Dahieh, where Hezbollah is based.

On Sunday, central Beirut was hit for the first time in a month, in attacks that killed six people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

In the afternoon, a strike on a building in the densely populated Ras al-Nabaa neighbourhood killed Mohammed Afif, who acted as the Hezbollah spokesman and was one of the few remaining public faces of the group.

Hours later, a strike hit the busy Mar Elias area, another part of Beirut rarely targeted.

In Lebanon, the recent attacks are seen as part of Israel’s strategy to force Hezbollah and Lebanon to agree to a ceasefire, and an indication that it is prepared to expand its offensive by killing non-military members of the group and striking places outside areas where it has a strong presence, possibly to stir anti-Hezbollah sentiment.